Barely having time to catch its breath after a strong
performance Saturday, the Baler cross country team dominated
visiting North Salinas in all divisions Monday afternoon at Park
Hill.
”
Everyone ran well today considering how they did in the
meet,
”
said coach Jess Morales.
”
I am really proud of how this team has come together considering
where they started at and where they are now.
”
Barely having time to catch its breath after a strong performance Saturday, the Baler cross country team dominated visiting North Salinas in all divisions Monday afternoon at Park Hill.
“Everyone ran well today considering how they did in the meet,” said coach Jess Morales. “I am really proud of how this team has come together considering where they started at and where they are now.”
San Benito finished second out of the 25 teams in the prestigious Serra Invitational over the weekend. On Monday, the boys varsity team won 17-46, and the girls varsity won 15-50.
When Morales took over at the beginning of this year as head coach, he wanted to wanted to start building the program with young dedicated runners.
While his sometimes grinding style was tough on some athletes, it has helped both Baler varsity teams to a 5-1 record this season. The only loss this year in dual meets came against Salinas.
“They have worked hard and bought into my philosophy,” Morales said. “It is all paying off now. People like John Reid really helped to give the team recognition while we’ve been building the program.”
The boys team was led by Jonanthan Rivera, who finished with a time of 17:46. San Benito runners finished in the top seven of the top eight spots.
Jamie O’Brian led the girls with a time of 22:02. The Balers finished in the top seven slots in the race. The slowest of placing Baler finished almost a minute ahead of her nearest North Salinas competitors.
The JV recorded a 15-40 win, while the girls worked out an 18-54 advantage. The frosh/soph team won 24-31.
“We’ve been working hard at practice,” Morales said. “When you do that good things happen. We are not drilling to beat certain teams. We are running for ourselves, not just to beat someone.”
The Balers will compete in the Monterey Invitational Saturday at Toro Park beginning at 9 a.m. On Monday, San Benito will travel to Gilroy to face the Mustangs.
Although it will be the first time Morales has faced his alma mater since becoming head coach, he said it would not be any different than playing them while he was an assistant coach.
This team has potential to make an impact in the Central Coast Section, but Morales doesn’t want to think about that yet.
“We’re just going to take one race at a time,” Morales said.
San Benito results
Varsity boys
1. Jonathan Rivera 17:46
2. Alfredo Lopez 18.02
3. Josh Vasquez 18.12
5. Kyle Fowles 18.47
6. Jeff Spencer 18.48
7. Rigo Vasquez 19.04
8. Eddie Trujillo 19.19
Varsity girls
1. Jamie O’Brian 22.02
2. Lee Ann Morales 23.06
3. Tara Hill 23.26
4. Jamilan Sagga 23.54
5. Brenda Garibay 24.41
6. Vannessa Ocampo 25.22
7. Kelly O’Brien 25.40
JV Boys
1. Albert Sandoval 19.00
2. Kevin Viera 19.28
3. Arturo Ceja 20.05
4. Sergio Lostaneau 20.38
5. Emesto Lostaneau 21.02
12. Mason Dungy 26.01
JV Girls
1. Briana Colorado 24.46
2. Brittni Skaroloutos 24.51
3. Neryda Garcia 27.01
5. Divya Baresh 27.53
6. Amber Cameron 28.02
7. Liset Vargas 28.12
8. Hannah Guenther 29.09
9. Jennifer Anaya 29.36
12. Cindy Contreras 31.09
14. Lisa Adamson 33.14
15. Christina Garcia 33.42
Frosh/soph boys
1. Kyle Furguson 19.57
2. Kyle Bambrick 20.30
4. Daniel Harris 21.54
8. Josh Liem 23.37
9. Ross Negureda 23.47
11. John Dixon 24.19
