Hollister High captured both boys and girls competitions in the Pacific Coast Athletic League, Gabilan Division championships. The team titles, both over second-place Palma, came with strength in sprints, distances, relays and field events.
The star for the Balers in the May 1 meet was Prienna Chavez, a distance runner who reached the CIF State Championships in cross country last fall. At the Gabilan meet, she won the 800 in 2:28.52, the 1600 in 5:28.00 and the 3200 in 11:56.79.
Other stars for Hollister included sprinter Ana Kaplansky, who won the 100 meters in 12.36 and was second in the 200 in 25.53. The 4×400 relay team also excelled, crossing the line first in 4:07.43. The quartet consisted of Paige Pierson, Blithe Richards, Zamaya Rivera and Kaplansky.
In the girls field events, the star was high jumper Dani Orsetti. She captured the high jump at 4-foot-10.
There were more top performances on both the track and in the field. Lianni Preciado came in second in the 100 with a time of 12.49. The 4×100 relay team finished second in 50.44, with a group of Preciado, Pierson, Kaplansky and Rylee Skow.
In the field events, Nola White tossed the shot 32-11 for second place. Kloe Osborne launched the discus 88-2 for second place. Taylor Evans finished second in the high jump at 4-9 and Skow was third in the long jump at 16-5.
Point totals for the day showed the Hollister girls at 134 and Palma at 100. North Monterey County was back at 76, Salinas had 74, Alisal scored 72 and King City had 39.
On the boys side, the “J”s came through to lead the way to the title.
Jacob Jackson flew home to wins in the 200 meters in 21.91 and the 400 in 50.36. Jordan Nelson went airborne to capture the high jump at 6-foot-0 and the triple jump with a leap of 24-2.5.
The Baler 4×400 relay team hit the tape first with a time of 3:28.59. The group consisted of Jacob Abi Najm, Henry Hernandez, Leonardo Heredia and Jackson.
Hollister also won the 4×100 relay. In that race, the Balers timed 43.80—just a step ahead of Palma in 43.85. The team included Abi Najm, Alexander Suguira, Rhonin Sanchez and Marcus Dorn.
Distance star Andrew Parra, also a CIF State cross country meet competitor last fall, won the 1600 in 4:22.57 and was second in the 800 in 2:00.93.
There were many other strong performances. Abi Najm was third in the 100 in 11.13. Michael Briano finished third in the 3200 in 9:46.93. Isayah Day-Vingara had a great day, coming in third in the 110 hurdles in 15.63 and third in the long jump at 20-6.5.
In the shot, Carter Campbell was second with a throw of 41-3.5 and Riley Ostoja was third at 40-6.5. Gunner Loveless claimed third in the discus with a heave of 132-7.
Strong showing at Masters
The PCAL Masters meet on May 8 at Monte Vista Christian High brought together athletes from all the PCAL divisions. The best Hollister performances that day came on the girls side.
Chavez finished first in the 3200 in 11:27.32 and third in the 1600 in 5:08.56. Kaplansky won the 100 meters in 12.73. White won the shot put with a throw of 33-6. In the high jump, Orsetti and Evans were part of a three-way first-place tie at 4-foot-8.
On the boys side, Jackson was the sole individual race winner. He captured the 200 in 22.44. In the 4×800, Hollister closed in first place with a time of 8:18.02.
There were other solid performances at the Masters meet. On the boys side, Parra came in third in 4:23.49 in the 1600. In the 110 hurdles, Kaleb Srch crossed the line in third in 17.02. The 4×100 relay team was third in 43.59. The 4×400 relay team was third in 3:28.98
On the girls side, Preciado finished second in the 100 in 12.85. Skow was second in the long jump at 15-6.5. The 4×100 relay team came in second in 49.03. The 4×400 quartet was second in 4:06.98.
Para qualifies for finals
On May 16, the CCS Semifinals were contested at Gilroy High, with top finishers heading on to the big CCS Finals meet on May 23.
Parra was the lone boys qualifier. He finished the 1600 in ninth place with a time of 4:18.97.
On the girls side, Orsetti had the highlight performance, winning the high jump at 5-foot-0. Chavez qualified in both the 1600 and the 3200. She timed 5:06.60 for 12th place in the former and 11:14.62 for 10th in the latter.
White advanced to the finals with a throw of 35-3.75, which placed her in eleventh.
Also moving forward is the 4×100 relay team. The four runners were Preciado, Pierson, Kaplansky and Skow. Their time of 49.04 brought them home in eighth place.
