The San Benito cross country team had a strong run this weekend
in the Monterey Invitational at Toro Park.
The boys varsity team finished second overall and first on
Saturday in the split meet among the 26 teams. It was the first
time this year that the Haybalers have placed first in ana
invitational.
The San Benito cross country team had a strong run this weekend in the Monterey Invitational at Toro Park.
The boys varsity team finished second overall and first on Saturday in the split meet among the 26 teams. It was the first time this year that the Haybalers have placed first in ana invitational.
On Friday, Salinas edged out San Benito and won the overall title. In Saturday’s competition between nine teams, San Benito recorded a 38 doubling King City, the nearest competitor.
“We were real close time wise with Salinas,” said coach Jess Morales. “The kids are running good. I am not going to take any credit. It is all them. They are running hard and having fun. All the boys recorded personal bests.”
Jonathan Rivera led the pack with a time of 16:16. Freshman Alfedo Lopez took second with a 16.42. Josh Vasquez (16.48), Kyle Fowles (17.08), Jess Spenser (17.10), freshman Rigo Vasquez (17.22) and Albert Sandoval (17.50) finished up the scoring.
But it was the JV performance that helped spark the team, Morales said.
“They’re the ones that really touch me,” said Morales, whose JV team finished one point short of a perfect score of 16. “They ran their hearts out, and that really set the tone for the varsity boys to come and do what they did.”
Eddie Trujillo won the race with a time of 17.48 and was followed closely by Kevin Verra at 17.58. Arturo Cejr (18.26), Sergio Lostaneau (18.56) Ernie Lostaneau (19.50) and Mason Dungy (23.40) rounded off the scoring.
The girls varsity team finished fourth on Saturday and eighth overall among the 21 teams.
Terra Hill (21.40), Lee Ann Morales (22.05), Jamilah Sagga (22.06) and Kelly O’Brian (22.07) led the Baler girls. Melissa O’Campo recorded a 23.12 and Briana Colorado (23.28) finished up the scoring.
“The girls are really coming together as a team now,” Morales said. “The points don’t mean nothing until league finals. A lot of girls were missing because of tests.”
The Balers had a total of nine girls. The lone JV racer Jennifer Anaya finished with a time of 25.38.
Freshman Brittany Skardovtos took fourth in the frosh/soph race with a time of 21.44 and earned a No. 5 spot on the varsity lineup.
“She ran a very good time,” Morales said. “She really stepped up as a freshman to do what she did. I was pushing her and she responded. It was fun to see her grow as a runner. She takes everything in to become a good runner. It makes it easier for the varsity to have someone to step in.”
The frosh/soph boys team took fourth overall in the field of 70 runners.
Kyle Ferguson (18.06) took fourth overall. Kyle Bambrick (19.10) placed seventh
Fresh Daniel Harris (19.32) finished 25th just hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Cameron Hill for the final medal. Ross Negareda capped off the scoring at 21.38.
Volleyball
The Haybaler volleyball team won their division during the Panther Invitational at Presentation High School over the weekend.
The Balers started pool play against El Dorado of Placerville with a 25-21, 21-25, 12-15 loss.
“We could have and should have won, but did not,” said Baler coach Chuck Schallhorn.
The Balers lost to Presentation 16-25, 12-25 and then lost to San Ramon Valley 21-25, 18-25.
In bracket play of the Silver Division, San Benito defeated Highland of Bakersfield 23-25, 25-23, 15-12.
“We got good play from kids getting stronger and more confident,” Schallhorn said. “It was close, but we took control.”
The Balers then defeated Deer Valley 25-23, 18-25, 19-17.
“It was a close match from start to finish,” Schallhorn said. “Our kids were starting to believe in themselves.
In the championship game, San Benito defeated Branham 25-13, 25-20. Kathleen McCullough had 10 service aces, Melissa Moore had eight, Michele Sanchez had seven and Alyssa
Fowles had six. As far as setting, McCullough had 55 assists and Stephanie Mauro had 39
assists.
“Our serving was the biggest reason for our success,” Schallhorn said. “We served tough and made our opponents make mistakes. The main parts of volleyball are serving and passing, and we did well at both this weekend.”
On the front line, Leslie Schipper was the dominant attacker with 38 kills. Schipper also had four solo blocks and seven assist blocks.
“It’s unusual to have a middle attacker to be your kill leader, but the setters found her and she was hitting well,” Schallhorn said.
Other hitters included Melissa Moore with 27 kills and Alyssa Fowles with 26 kills. Mallorie Wilson added 19 kills, nine solo block kills and seven block assists.
“Against Branham, we played our most complete and most flawless match of the season,” Schallhorn added. “If the kids can keep up this attitude and intensity, they can make the CCS playoffs and do some damage.
The Balers will be hosting Live Oak on Wednesday and then will next play Gilroy on Oct. 27 and North Salinas on Oct. 29
The Balers are 15-16 overall are concentrating on the task of doing well in league in order to make the playoffs.
“The girls know what it feels like to win under difficult circumstances now,” Schallhorn said. “And we are hoping to take that momentum into our last three weeks of league play.”
