Allen’s 19:17 places her first overall, leads Lady ‘Balers to
top spot
SALINAS
With each meet, the San Benito cross country team seems to get closer and closer to where they were at the end of last season, and the calendar only reads mid-September.
On Saturday the Haybalers were at the Chieftain Classic at Salinas’ Toro Park, and once again, San Benito took another step forward.
Courtney Allen set a personal record this season, cutting some 42 seconds off her best time to help lead the Lady ‘Balers to a first-place finish Saturday, while Frankie Rivera shed some 12 seconds off his previous best time, and led the ‘Baler boys to a fifth-place finish.
Allen’s time of 19:17 was first overall among some 116 runners, was 10 seconds better than second-place finisher Stephanie Barnett of Leland, and was only 16 seconds off her TCAL Championship time of last year (19:01).
“She’s only 10 to 15 seconds off her PR already,” girls coach Josh Morales said.
The Lady ‘Balers showed off their depth as well on Saturday. After last year’s No. 2 harrier Vanessa Farias fell ill – she still managed to run, recording a 22:26 – San Benito’s Ana Rosa Duarte filled in with a 20:36, good enough for 11th place overall.
“She’s only been running for about a year,” Morales said. “She did pretty good in track and she’s doing awesome right now. I think we’re looking pretty good.”
San Benito compiled just 59 points and edged second-place Salinas, which finished with 73 points. Some 15 teams recorded times on Saturday.
The ‘Baler boys will have to keep an eye on Palma, as well as Salinas, after the Chieftains beat San Benito 163-184 for fourth place. Salinas took the top spot with 67 points.
Rivera led the team with a 16:45, while teammate Adrian Rodriguez broke the 17-minute barrier for the first time this season with a time of 16:53. Rodriguez previously ran a 17:17 at the TCAL Jamboree.
Coach Jess Morales could not be reached for comment at press time.
San Benito will host a dual meet against Gilroy on Sept. 22 at Park Hill in Hollister at 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS
1, C. Allen, 19:17; 11, A. Duarte, 20:36; 14, G. Tobias, 20:45; 20, D. Casillas, 21:21; 35, L. Shorey, 22:12; 38, K. Vasquez, 22:16; 43, V. Farias, 22:26.
BOYS
12, F. Rivera, 16:45; 14, A. Rodriguez, 16:53; 27, E. Guzman, 17:13; 68, E. Adams, 18:24; 74, J. Rendon, 18:34.
