San Benito dominates Vikings 113-52; Larson qualifies for CCS in
500 free
Hollister – Entering its final league dual meet of the season, the San Benito girls swimming team hoped to pick up a victory over visiting North Salinas and to continue its improvement with the postseason fast approaching. After defeating the Vikings 113-52 behind a strong showing by their surging swimmers, the Haybalers head into Spring Break pleased that their momentum continues.
In finishing the regular season 5-1 in Tri-County Athletic League meets, San Benito overwhelmed North Salinas – a school so lacking in swimmers that it didn’t contest a boys meet. The Lady ‘Balers won a whopping 10 of the 11 events on Friday, falling short in only the 100-yard butterfly.
Freshman Lacey Larson enjoyed the standout performance of the day by qualifying for the upcoming Central Coast Section Championships in the 500-yard freestyle. After already securing a CCS time in the 200-yard freestyle, Larson added an event to her postseason agenda by finishing the 500 in 5:35.71.
“She’s been working on that all season,” said ‘Balers head coach Stephanie Pursley. “Today, when she qualified, that was a real accomplishment for her.”
San Benito’s Jayme Telles took first in the 100-yard breaststroke in a personal-best time of 1:20.51.
“Her times keep getting better and better,” said Pursley.
Other Haybaler highlights included junior Britt Howell finishing the 100-freestyle in 1:06, and freshman Shelli Reed winning the 200-yard IM (1:18.95) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:20.51). A week after qualifying for the CCS Championships in the 50-yard freestyle, Katie Buzzetta swam a strong 58.98 in the 100-yard freestyle.
North Salinas performed well in the relays and saw Jenny Sanchez win the 100-yard butterfly in 1:05.27, an event in which Reed didn’t compete.
Pursley was pleased with her team’s performance, especially after it only practiced twice in the past week.
“They did really good,” said the ‘Balers coach. “Seconds keep dropping off every week.”
Two San Benito boys secured CCS-qualifying times while racing against each other in one of the few events contested on the boys side. In a battle of talented juniors, David Smith narrowly defeated Blane Curtice in a thrilling 50-yard freestyle race. Smith finished in 22.84 and Curtice followed with a time of 22.845.
The San Benito girls junior varsity team defeated the Vikings 117-24.
San Benito returns to the pool for a non-league competition against Alvarez on April 28, the team’s final tune-up before the TCAL Finals on May 3 and 5.
With 11 Haybaler boys and 11 girls already on their way to CCS, the team hopes to add even more athletes to the school’s group. The CCS Preliminaries are set for May 13.
