Certainly not short on motivation, the San Benito High boys
cross country team will look to reclaim the league title it lost to
rival Salinas once year ago
HOLLISTER
Eddie Guzman crossed the finish line at last season’s Tri-County Athletic League Championships, his face an obvious mix of exhaustion and disappointment. Little had gone San Benito’s way; the Balers were unable to successfully defend its TCAL title, finishing runner-up to rival Salinas, but Guzman, among others, was already seeking another crack at the Cowboys.
Whether or not this is the point the Balers will look to for motivation, having a point of reference such as last season’s TCAL Championships – where the league title was taken by your league rival – is certainly a good starting point.
“They want it this year and they’re working together right now,” San Benito boys cross country coach Jess Morales said on Monday. “They’re so pumped up together as a team.
“These guys want to get back to the CCS level. They’re all pretty tight and they’re all in the mix; they could all be my top runner, which is good.”
Seeking a little motivation shouldn’t be too difficult for the Balers, though. Along with its second-place finish to Salinas, an open varsity field should add to the team’s drive and progression, while San Benito’s lack of seniors will force those underclassmen to grow into leadership roles, strengthening the team for next year as well.
“It’s just gonna get better,” Morales said. “Nobody is graduating.”
Without a single senior on its varsity roster, San Benito is expected to be anchored by its junior class, most notably Guzman. The three-year varsity member clocked a 17:01 at last year’s TCAL finale, fast enough to place seventh overall and third on the Balers, behind only departed seniors Frankie Rivera and Adrian Rodriguez.
“We’re not worried at all because a lot of the returning guys from my frosh team were on varsity (last year),” Guzman said. “As far as leadership goes, since we don’t have seniors … we’re kind of expecting us juniors to step up to be more captain figures.”
Joining Guzman will be fellow junior Jose Castillo, also a three-year varsity member. The two harriers have competed at the varsity level since they were both freshmen, and are expected to lead the Balers in terms of experience.
Guzman’s 17:44 at the Central Coast Section Championships last year placed him 36th overall and third on the Balers, while Castillo’s 17:02 was tops for San Benito, 15th overall in the section.
Jorge Aguilar and Omar Vasquez, meanwhile, were each on the varsity squad last season as well, each competing in both the TCAL and CCS Championships. They’ll be joined by juniors Justin Rendon (who is also leading the team with Guzman, Morales said), Sergio Alcala and Luis Sanchez, as well as sophomore Said Hernandez.
Upcoming freshman brothers Ricky and Victor Esqueda are also expected to make some noise in the future, Morales said.
Officially opening the 2009-10 season at the Early Bird Invitational on Sept. 12 at Salinas’ Toro Park – the same place where San Benito’s season ended in late October last year – the Balers will once again renew its rivalry with Salinas, which is said to be the favorite in the TCAL coming into this year.
For San Benito, motivation is certainly not at a premium.
“If they can do it this year and next year, even better,” Morales said. “But we’re tired of not being there (at state). They want to know what it feels like, to be the top two (at CCS) and go to state.”
Read Friday’s edition of The Weekend Pinnacle for a season preview on the San Benito High girls cross country team.
