The San Benito Haybalers did not attend the Monterey Bay
Invitational on Oct. 19. Instead, they iced their legs all week in
preparation for the Tri-County Athletic League Championships, and
it paid off.
The San Benito Haybalers did not attend the Monterey Bay Invitational on Oct. 19. Instead, they iced their legs all week in preparation for the Tri-County Athletic League Championships, and it paid off.
Courtney Allen took first place as an individual and the ‘Baler boys finished first as a team Saturday at the TCAL Championships at Toro Park in Salinas.
More importantly, both the boys and the girls teams qualified for the 2007 Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships, slated for Nov. 10 at Crystal Springs in Belmont.
“We iced all week and that’s what did it,” boys coach Jess Morales said.
The ‘Balers were bunched and finished with five of the first 17 spots, and edged rival Salinas for first place 41-55.
San Benito freshman Eduardo Guzman finished first for the ‘Balers, fourth overall, after he clocked 16:48.
“It was my best race. I PR’ed (personal record) by almost a minute,” he said. “I was kind of surprised that I was with the top guys. I thought I might pass out.”
Some of those “top guys” were Guzman’s teammates, as Adrian Rodriguez finished right behind Guzman in fifth place, while Frankie Rivera took seventh and Lance Villasenor finished eighth. Erik Rodriguez took 17th for San Benito.
“Everyone is sticking together. There was a lot of encouragement out there,” Guzman said. “We worked as a team, and I thought that was the best race as a team this year.”
Curtis Wright took 20th Saturday and Jose Castillo finished 26th.
The ‘Balers avenged a previous dual meet loss to Salinas earlier this season by beating the Cowboys Saturday, while Courtney Allen did the same by defeating second-place Kathleen Miller of Gilroy.
But the junior Lady ‘Baler, who recorded 19:01 at Toro Park, didn’t care who she bested with her time, she just wanted the crown.
After beating Miller by 18 seconds Saturday, she certainly earned it.
“I got a PR for this course,” said Allen, who earned her first TCAL championship. “I just wanted to get TCAL champion.”
After Allen’s top spot finish, Vanessa Farias finished ninth, Kristina Vasquez took 13th, Elizabeth Moreno finished 22nd and Dayna Casillas and Brandi Callanta crossed the finish line in 26th and 27th, respectively.
Girls coach Josh Morales spoke to his team after their race, and said, “This is the best race you’ve put together this year. Best race this season.”
As a team, the Lady ‘Balers took third place with 71 points.
Josh Morales believed that most of his team set a personal record on Saturday, and if they didn’t, added the coach, “They only slowed by a couple of seconds. This was their best meet of the season.”
On the boys side, Jess Morales was ecstatic for his ‘Balers.
“We needed this. The guys needed this. We needed it mentally and physically,” Jess Morales said. “The guys now have something to chase, to start working harder every day and be a team. Our guys, boom, we put it together today.”
As icing on the cake, those who finished in the top 10 individually earned all-league honors as well. For the boys, Guzman, Rivera, Villasenor and Adrian Rodriguez were selected, while Allen and Farias earned an all-league selection with their times.
San Benito will compete at the CCS championships at Crystal Springs in Belmont on Nov. 10. The Division I boys race is scheduled for 1:15 p.m., and the Division I girls race is slated for 1:45 p.m.
San Benito Results
Varsity Boys
1, Diego Estrada, Alisal, 15:20; 4, Eduardo Guzman, San Benito, 16:48; 5, Adrian Rodriguez, SB, 16:51; 7, Frankie Rivera, SB, 16:58; 8, Lance Villasenor, SB, 16:59; 17, Erik Rodriguez, SB, 17:25; 20, Curtis Wright, SB, 17:36; 26, Jose Castillo, SB, 18:01.
Varsity Teams
1, San Benito, 41; 2, Salinas, 55; 3, Palma, 76; 4, Gilroy, 78.
Varsity Girls
1, Courtney Allen, SB, 19:01; 9, Vanessa Farias, SB, 20:30; 13, Kristina Vasquez, SB, 20:57; 22, Elizabeth Moreno, 21:39; 26, Dayna Casillas, SB, 21:57; 27, Brandi Callanta, SB, 22:00.
Varsity Teams
1, Gilroy, 37; 2, Salinas, 47; 3, San Benito, 71; 4, Notre Dame, 102.
Junior Varsity Boys
1, David Perez, Salinas, 17:31; 2, Andrew Yacovone, SB, 17:56; 3, Luis Ruiz, SB, 18:04; 12, Jhovani Contreras, SB, 19:02; 19, Brian Curiel, SB, 19:17; 21, Grant Larson, SB, 19:46; 30, T.J. Dawson, SB, 20:14.
Junior Varsity Teams
1, Salinas, 24; 2, San Benito, 52.
Junior Varsity Girls
1, Jacquelyn Lee, Salinas, 21:34; 2, Linnea Shorey, SB, 21:46; 3, Jessica Cook, 21:53; 9, Grace Tobias, SB, 22:32; 15, Evie Betancourt, SB, 23:38; 17, Leaha Herrera, SB, 24:10; 19, Megan Garratt, SB, 24:27; 24, Victoria Angeles, SB, 25:10.
Junior Varsity Teams
1, Salinas, 33; 2, San Benito, 46.
Frosh/Soph Boys
1, Max Bell, Salinas, 17:46; 2, Eric Adams, SB, 18:17; 11, Celestino Granados, SB, 19:28; 19, Daniel Vasquez, SB, 20:09; 24, Matthew Sowders, SB, 20:19; 26, Alan Camarillo, SB, 20:23; 40, John Thompson, SB, 24:07.
Frosh/Soph Teams
1, Salinas, 35; 2, Gilroy, 52; 3, Palma, 59; 4, San Benito, 82.
Frosh/Soph Girls
1, Stephanie Blalock, Salinas, 22:57; 3, Izadela Meza, SB, 23:53; 6, Katie Smithee, SB, 24:34; 8, Rachelle Gere, SB, 24:55; 12, Jacqueline Martin, SB, 25:43; 13, Deyon Gaston, SB, 26:17; 14, Emily Kovach, SB, 26:32.
Frosh/Soph Teams
1, Salinas, 19; 2, San Benito, 40.
