RUIDOSO — For the first time this season, the Clovis High boys cross country team beat a District 4-5A rival. Now coach Mark Bussen hopes it carries over to the district meet next week in Hobbs. The Wildcats finished second to Hobbs but beat Carlsbad in the Ruidoso Invitational on Thursday. The Eagles finished with 46 points to 60 for the Wildcats and 68 for Carlsbad. Clovis’ girls, who also haven’t beaten either district foe, closed the gap a bit on Hobbs, finishing fourth with 109 points to 96 for the Lady Eagles. Carlsbad won the girls’ team title with 59 points to 87 for Deming. Bussen was pleased, and a bit perplexed by his teams’ performances. “I don’t know why we always run so well down here,” he said. “The district race will be tough. We’re hoping the girls can slip up on Hobbs now and finish second.” Justin Kyle led the Clovis boys, finishing eighth in 17 minutes, 18 seconds over three miles. Jarron Morgin was ninth in 17:27, while Justin Netcher came in 11th another six seconds back. Carlsbad’s Nico Barrera was the individual winner in 15:43. Junior Caitlin Waters led the Lady Wildcats, placing fifth in 19:49. Cloudcroft’s Courtney Schultz took individual honors in 18:06. The district meet is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start next Friday. The girls’ junior varsity race will lead off, followed by boys JV, girls varsity and boys varsity competitions.