Haybalers upend previously unbeaten North Salinas
Hollister
The fact that Lila Yoldi’s back hurt earlier this week will be just another detail to her story, as the San Benito senior broke her own school record in the shot put and helped lead the Lady ‘Balers past previously undefeated North Salinas Thursday.
“Man, that felt good,” said Yoldi, after she set a new record with a throw of 39-7 3/4, breaking her own record of 38-2 that she set last year. “My back hurt earlier this week, but throwing 39 this week was pretty amazing.”
San Benito, which saw the visiting Vikings as their top league competition, pulled off a pair of wins in both the boys (101.5-34.5) and girls (88-49) meets at Andy Hardin Stadium, and have just one dual meet remaining before the Tri-County Athletic League Championships on May 9.
With another dual meet victory under their belt, though, the Haybalers have solidified themselves as top dog in the TCAL.
“They were definitely our toughest competition, league-wise,” boys coach Iran White said. “They have a team that is comparable in size to ours. We wanted to come out here and make sure that we performed the best we can. When we go into league finals, we know where we stand.”
The boys won both relays and swept the 100 meters, and took the top two spots in both the 400 and the 110 hurdles. Said White, “Nothing really stood out in my mind because they did great all the way around.”
The girls meet was relatively close – it was 21-20 at one point – before a sweep in the 800 and the pole vault, as well as a first-place finish from Courtney Allen in the two-mile, supplied the Lady ‘Balers with a little added breathing room.
“They were undefeated so we went in ready to compete,” girls coach Laurie Cottrell said. “We didn’t know how strong they were gonna come at us today. The girls want to win TCALs and they’re preparing themselves for that.”
In the throwing events, where North Salinas is known to excel, Yoldi’s record-breaking mark of 39-7 3/4 even topped the season-best throw from Viking Adriana Ponce, who finished second with a 38-5 3/4.
“All of the teams we’re competing against this year haven’t been able to throw past 31 feet, which is probably the reason why we’re throwing so well (today) – we have competition,” said Sarah Yoldi.
In the shot put, Sarah set a PR of 36-8, a throw that places her in the top 10 in the Central Coast Section, but a throw that placed her fourth against North Salinas.
“They are pretty much our only competition. They have some pretty good throwers,” Lila said. In the discus, Sarah and Lila finished in first and third, respectively.
“Half of their team is throwers,” Lila added. “We’re both undefeated right now, so whoever wins (today) stays undefeated.”
The undefeated Haybalers will compete at the Avis Kelley Invitational in Gilroy Saturday. With seeded sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m., the invite meet will commence at 4:30 p.m. at Gilroy High.
