Lady ‘Balers easily down Mustangs 131-40 in TCAL opener last
Friday
HOLLISTER
It took a collective effort – from the divers to the 200 free relay team – for San Benito to beat visiting Gilroy in the Tri-County Athletic League opener in Hollister Friday, where the ‘Baler boys edged the Mustangs 93-90 in what was both teams’ first meet of the 2009 season.
“Our divers were the difference,” San Benito head coach Christine Schafer said. “Huge.”
Gilroy, which did not compete with a dive team last Thursday, went into Friday’s swim meet trailing San Benito by 13 points as a result. Even though one Gilroy swimmer missed his race, GHS head coach Tom Clark said, the boys meet still came down to the final race – the 200 free relay.
The ‘Balers needed a first- and a third-place finish in that race, and they got exactly that, leading to the team’s three-point victory.
“They started out 13 points ahead,” Clark said. “And we just couldn’t overcome it.”
On the girls side, San Benito cruised to an easy 131-40 victory.
The first meet was also the very first time swimmers could post Central Coast Section qualifying times, and both Gilroy and San Benito will already be well represented at the year-end championships.
“Getting them done now is good because they don’t have to worry about them for the rest of the season,” Clark said. “Just concentrate on training now, instead of trying to get CCS qualifying times.”
Gilroy’s Eddie Malick, David Pribyl and Meagan Collett led the way for the Mustangs. Malick posted a pair of CCS times after he recorded a 50.59 in the 100 free and a 1:03.01 in the 100 breast.
Pribyl also qualified for two races with a 1:05.61 in the 100 breast and a 5:07.13 in the 500 free. The boys 200 medley relay (1:45.27) and the 400 free relay (3:35.53) also qualified for the CCS meet.
Meanwhile, Mustang Meagan Collett clocked a 1:03.08 in the 100 fly and a 1:05.24 in the 100 back, both of which will have her swimming at the section meet later this season.
For San Benito, the Haybalers recorded a slew of CCS swimming times, with Shelli Reed, Demi Gatrell and Brandon Drogemueller pacing the team.
Reed qualified in the 100 free (53.58) and the 100 back (1:01.82), while Gatrell’s 1:12.76 in the 100 breast was also CCS-worthy.
Meanwhile, both Reed and Gatrell teamed up with Celina Stotler and Lacey Larson in the 200 medley relay, where the foursome posted a section-qualifying 1:58.02.
Stotler also qualified in the 100 fly with a 1:02.91.
On the boys side, Drogemueller’s 2:03.74 in the 200 IM and his 56.41 in the 100 fly means he’ll be competing at the year-end meet. Drogemueller also qualified with the 200 free relay with Jordan Schafer, Matt McCullough and Kyle Reuther with a 1:34.84, and the 400 free relay with Schafer, McCullough and Ryan Whiteside with a 3:30.25.
“They did awesome. I’m totally impressed,” Christine Schafer said of the team. “They’ve been working really hard. I have a lot of seniors, and they’re all focused.
“We’re actually looking really good.”
Gilroy will compete next at Alisal High on Friday, while San Benito will host North Salinas on Friday.
