Rams capture eighth, Spartans take first bowling state titles

ALBUQUERQUE — Rollin’ to a blue trophy.

On Feb. 7, the Rio Rancho High School and Bernalillo High School bowling teams won the 5A and 1A-4A state titles at Silva Lanes in Albuquerque.

Both the two seeds in their respective brackets, the Rams took down La Cueva 336-267 in the 5A championship, while the Spartans fended off Artesia 387-355 for the 1-4A crown.

These trophies come at different points for the two programs, with Bernalillo’s run to the top notching their first-ever bowling championship. Meanwhile, the Rams add to their dynasty on the lanes with an eighth state title.

Both teams took to the internet to celebrate the wins.

“Bernalillo wins blue!” the Spartans posted on Instagram. “Huge congratulations to our very own bowling team for bringing home that blue trophy at the state tournament."

Ahead of their championship meeting, Bernalillo rolled a semifinal victory over the one-seed Artesia Bulldogs, pulling off the upset and sending them to the loser’s bracket.

The Spartans were led by top performers such as Jenasie Arreola, who led the girls division in the state tourney with a 231. Her teammate, Tiana Chino, finished third in the division with a 158.

On the boys' side, Ezeekial Martinez finished fourth in overall scoring. Artesia would have likely taken all five of the top spots, but Martinez’s 628-day broke into the Bulldog barrage and aided the Spartans to the trophy.

For the Rams, their journey was not as simple.

Rio Rancho would lose its quarterfinal matchup to rival Cleveland, with odds of a title run unlikely as they headed to the losers' bracket.

But while the Rams were on the brink of elimination, that did not deter them. Rio would get revenge on Cleveland in the semifinals, 342-312, to end the Storm's day. Now, they would have to not only face La Cueva in the finals, but due to the bracket setup, they would also need to beat them twice.

The first matchup was a barnburner, but with the Rams able to pull it out 352-325, the momentum became too much for the Bears.

Rio’s Mia Medina would lead all 5A girls with 492 points on the day, with a game-high of 187. For the boys, Isaiah Lopez finished third for game highs with a 234. 

With Medina and Lopez, along with a full team effort, the Rams took down the Bears twice and retook the bowling throne, now earning two state titles in the last four years.

“The Rams delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing their hard work, determination, and team spirit,” Rio Rancho posted on Facebook. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and everything they have accomplished.”

With another chapter for a bowling giant, while a blossoming program captures its first, it is safe to say: New Mexico high school bowling runs through Sandoval County.