San Benito’s top male and female varsity runners were running in
a class of their own against visiting Gilroy Monday in a dual meet
at Park Hill.
n By NATHAN MIXTER
Sports Editor
Hollister – San Benito’s top male and female varsity runners were running in a class of their own against visiting Gilroy Monday in a dual meet at Park Hill.
The boys team remained undefeated with an 18-43 win. The girls, who have lost just once to North Salinas, won 20-38. Both Josh Vasquez and Amanda Boyd turned in convincing victories for the Haybalers.
Boyd took a big lead after the first lap and could have almost walked the final lap, finishing almost three minutes faster than teammate Jamila Saqqa.
Boyd finished with a time of 20:47, which coach Jess Morales believes to be a school record. The previous record was set at 20:54 by Live Oak’s Cobbi Jones earlier this year.
“She’s running good,” said Morales of Boyd. “I really just want her to get the feel of running and learn how to run cross country. It is difficult to teach someone who hasn’t run cross country before. She’s a listener, and she can tolerate pain.”
Boyd said she never imagined that she would be able to dominate like she has after switching from volleyball to cross country at the start of the season to prepare for track season.
“I just felt really strong,” said Boyd after winning the race Monday. “I’ve been pushing myself, but I never thought I’d be here.”
Boyd also placed seventh in the Clovis Invitational on Saturday with a time of 19:56.
“I think she can be one of top five in CCS, even the top 3,” Morales said. “It’s going to be scary what she can do. After Saturday, she’s ready to go after the leaders. Now she can believe in herself.”
Josh Vasquez led the boys team with a 17:15. He was running with Gilroy’s Arnulfo Velasquez before pulling away in the second half of the race.
San Benito’s Alfredo Lopez overtook Velasquez in the final 100 yards to place second after Velasquez almost stumbled.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired,” Lopez said.
On Saturday, in the Clovis Invitational, the boys team finished in 13th place, while the girls finished 10th.
In the boys race, 10 of the top 13 teams were ranked in the top three in their division in the state.
The girls had strong performances Saturday from freshmen Evie Betencourt, Megan Garrett, Alson Meyer and Lilianna Villagomez.
“The hardest part coaching younger kids is making them believe in each other,” Morales said. “All the other schools think about championships. But all I’m thinking about is how fast they can go. It’s exciting to see the girls believing in themselves.”
San Benito JV
No. 1 Andrew Yacavone 20:02
No. 2 Arturo Ceja 20:39
No. 3 Randall Lopez 20:51
No. 4 Philberto Mendez 20:57
No. 5 Cameron Hill 20:58
No. 8 Ross Nagareda 22:14
San Benito Frosh/soph
No. 1 Curtis Wright 23:05
No. 2 Logan Nichols 23:59
No. 3 Sean Petree 25:530
No. 4 Marc Frelier 25:55
No. 5 Israel Cisneros 26:27
No. 6 Anthony Villalon 28:24
No. 7 TJ Dawson 31:34
No. 8 Jose Andrade 37:17
Boys varsity
Josh Vasquez SB 17:15
Alfredo Lopez SB 18:14
Arnulfo Velasquez G 18:15
Rigo Velasquez SB 18:27
Albert Sandoval SB 18:34
Kyle Bambrick SB 18:53
Eddie Trujillo SB 19:13
Danny Amerson G 19:21
Frank Valdez G 19:53
Victor Hernandez SB 20:02
Allan Chan G 20:32
Jacob Trujillo G 21:42
Matt Reyes G 22:10
Jason Perez G 22:47
Girls Varsity
Amanda Boyd SB 20:47
Jamila Saqqa SB 23:56
Stephanie Radke G 24:08
Allison Meyer SB 24:19
Christina Hernandez G 25:58
Brenda Garibay SB 26:09
Megan Garratt SB 26:15
Liliana Villagomez SB 26:38
April Shimaburo G 27:30
Megan Litle G 28:00
Erin Chan G 32:19
