The San Benito boys cross country team wrapped up its season on
Saturday at the CIF State Championship at Woodard Park in Fresno
with a 20th place team finish on the 3.1 mile course.
After running the course on Friday morning, the Baler runners
went to the Spaghetti Factory and then to the mall.
The San Benito boys cross country team wrapped up its season on Saturday at the CIF State Championship at Woodard Park in Fresno with a 20th place team finish on the 3.1 mile course.
After running the course on Friday morning, the Baler runners went to the Spaghetti Factory and then to the mall.
“Seeing the energy and excitement they brought was special,” said first-year coach Jess Morales. “It was an upgrading year – a very good season. It was great to see them grow. The kids went in there and were really excited about running.”
After watching Salinas finish 12th overall, Morales said his team could have finished a lot higher than it did – maybe even in the top ten – if several of the players weren’t battling the flu.
“They got hit pretty good,” Morales said. “We weren’t the only one that didn’t preform up to expectations because of sickness.”
Senior Jonathan Rivera was the Balers’ top finisher. He came in 42nd with a time of 16:10 among a field of 203 racers. The race was tight, and not much time separated the runners. The top runner finished with a time of 15:15.
“He had a good two-mile mark,” Morales said. “He ran aggressive. It will be tough to fill his spot next year. The kids look up to Jon. He has done a lot for the team. He has taught the younger kids respect and what it takes to be a good runner. He is like a second coach.”
Freshmen Eduardo Trujillo (17:08 in 128th) and Alfredo Lopez (17:14 in 133rd) were the next Baler runners.
Jeff Spencer (17:40 in 166th) came in just ahead of teammate Kyle Fowles (17:41 in 168th).
Josh Vasquez (17:56 at 180th) was one of the runners who was sick during the race.
“He came here and said he wanted to run and wanted to finish,” Morales said. “They were all warriors.”
The final Baler runner was Rigo Vasquez, who finished with a time of 18:20 and came in 186th.
The only girl to qualify for state was Jamie O’Brien, who at the start of the year was just looking for a way to stay in shape for the track season.
“It wasn’t just about one girl going,” Morales said. “Everyone was behind her. They trained with her. That is the way cross country should be. It is a real bonding experience.”
O’Brien finished 160th with a time of 21:11 in the field of 201 runners.
“She took off aggressively, but she had her eyes opened,” Morales said. “The competition was tough. The 102nd finisher ran in 20 minutes flat, and that is fast.”
This weekend, Morales will be taking Rigo Vasquez, Lopez, Trujillo and Lee Ann Morales to the Footlocker Western Regional Championship race in Los Angeles. The age group competition is open to anyone in high school, but only those that record a time of 15:30 in the qualifier can compete to go on.
“Going to state was a good experience for the program, especially the younger kids,” Morales said. “I would like to thank everyone who supported cross country this season. The whole city was supportive. Being there as a team just makes us want to get back there all the more next year.”
The cross country team is always looking for additional runners. Several athletes have already expressed interest in running next year. The team officially meets two weeks before the season begins, but Morales would like to know who plans on joining even if it is just to get in shape for another sport. If you are interested, call Morales at 637-3066.
