Although unofficial in the grand scope of the regular season,
the San Benito boys cross country managed to make a statement
nevertheless on Wednesday at the Tri-County Athletic League
Jamboree at Salinas’ Toro Park. Team scores were not kept, but the
Baler boys had five harriers in the top eight overall, six in the
top 11.
SALINAS
Although unofficial in the grand scope of the regular season, the San Benito boys cross country managed to make a statement nevertheless on Wednesday at the Tri-County Athletic League Jamboree at Salinas’ Toro Park.
Team scores were not kept, but the Baler boys had five harriers in the top eight overall, six in the top 11.
“That’s a good statement. I’m very impressed,” San Benito boys coach Jess Morales said. “They all ran in a pack. They all stayed together and stepped it up.”
Salinas’s Max Bell finished with the top time on Wednesday — a 16:20.69 — although San Benito’s Jose Castillo and Eddie Guzman finished in second and third place, respectively, clocking times of 16:36.78 and 16:37.06.
Sergio Alcala, meanwhile, was fifth overall in 16:41.78, and finished just a few seconds ahead of teammate Ricardo Esqueda, who recorded a sixth-place finish in 16:43.93.
Omar Vasquez rounded out the top five in eighth place in 17:16.97, while Said Hernandez was the sixth Baler to cross the finish line in 17:33.47.
Other San Benito harriers included Steven Velarde (18th, 17:52.75), Steven Hernandez (20th, 18:07.62), David Kret (27th, 18:25.62) and Daniel Vasquez (29th, 18:27.50).
The Baler girls faired equally as well at the top. Following Notre Dame’s Alexandra Lathos, who finished first in 20:08.15, San Benito’s Vanessa Estrada was second in 20:25.81 and teammate Maura Forbush was third in 20:43.44.
Dayna Casillas took 11th place in 21:20.97, while a group of Balers, finishing in spots 22nd through 25th, rounded out the team.
Grace Tobias was 22nd in 22:17.12; Cynthia Trujillo was 23rd in 22;18.03; Molly Lamanna was 24th in 22:32.00; and Megan Pape was 25th in 22:44.69.
Wednesday’s strong performance for San Benito at the TCAL Jamboree followed last Saturday’s season opener at the Madera Relays, where the Baler boys were overall champs behind a record-setting run from Jose Castillo.
Castillo was first overall in 9:40 — the course was 3,000 meters. He broke the course record by approximately one second.
Sergio Alcala was second on San Benito in 9:47; Eddie Guzman clocked a 9:53; Ricardo Esqueda recorded a 10:06; Omar Vasquez ran a 10:09; and Said Hernandez clocked a 10:30.
Steven Velarde, meanwhile, set the course record for a freshman with a run of 10:31.
On the girls side, Vanessa Estrada ran a 11:49; Maura Forbush recorded a 12:19; Molly Lamanna clocked a 12:43; Megan Pape at 12:55; Cynthia Trujillo recorded a 13:02; Dayna Casillas at 13:17; and Grace Tobias finished with a 13:26.
San Benito will return to Toro Park on Saturday for the Early Bird Invitational. First races begin at 9 a.m.
Early Bird Invitational
Open Alumni/Public Race, 8 a.m.
Open Middle School Race, 8:30 a.m.
Girls’ Freshman Race, 9 a.m.
Boys’ Freshman Race, 9:30 a.m.
Girls’ Sophomore Race, 10 a.m.
Boys’ Sophomore Race, 10:30 a.m.
Girls’ Junior Race, 11 a.m.
Boys’ Junior Race, 11:30 a.m.
Girls’ Senior Race, 12 p.m.
Boys’ Senior Race, 12:30 p.m.
