San Benito tuned up for the Tri-County Athletic League
championships Wednesday by wrapping up the duel meet season with a
sweep of Alisal.
Hollister – San Benito tuned up for the Tri-County Athletic League championships Wednesday by wrapping up the duel meet season with a sweep of Alisal.
With many of the top athletes on both teams preparing for the league meet, which begins with the trials Tuesday at North Salinas and concludes with the finals Friday at Gilroy, there were few outstanding times, but the Haybalers used their size to overwhelm the Trojans.
“It goes back to the size and numbers,” San Benito girls coach Julio Trinidad said. “Alisal did have some good athletes, but they’re a rebuilding team.”
Alisal’s Diego Estrada, the league’s top competitor in the boys distance races, did not compete. San Benito’s Rigo Vasquez, who hopes to challenge Estrada at league, ran the 800 and mile, and easily won both despite not running at full strength. He was still recovering from an illness that kept him out of the Avis Kelley Invitational on Saturday and used the meet to get reacclimated.
On the girls side, sophomore Courtney Allen was a double winner by taking the 800 and mile. Sophomore Justine Hunter also had a pair of victories, taking the triple jump at 32-0 and the high jump at 4-6.
“She’s a young girl with big hops and a big heart,” Trinidad said.
Freshman Monique Bishop had a standout day, winning the 100 meters in 13.44 and taking the pole vault at 8-0. Lilli Villagomez earned the win in the 100 hurdles and Jessica Rux took first in the 400 meters.
One of the more exciting moments of the meet came when Carly Brigantino competed in the girls 400 meters. It was the first and only competition of the season for the senior, who was the team’s top sprinter and pole vaulter last year but suffered an knee injury during soccer season. She finished with a time of 14.18.
“It was heartwarming to see her come back,” Trinidad said.
Sam Stevens was impressive in the boys shot put competition. He set a PR in the event at 40-8 on Saturday at Avis Kelley and toppled that mark with a toss of 42-6.
“That’s a big PR and now he might be able to score us some points at league,” boys coach Iran White said.
