San Benito High is looking to build a strong cross country
program and hopes to see every level succeed.
Salinas – San Benito High is looking to build a strong cross country program and hopes to see every level succeed.
The Tri-County Athletic League Championships at Toro Park on Saturday provided some evidence that the ‘Balers are on a positive track toward making that happen.
San Benito swept the boys and girls titles and also was awarded the Avis Kelly Trophy, given annually to the best all-around cross country program in the league.
“Overall from the bottom to top, that’s what it really boils down to – that Avis Kelly Trophy,” boys coach Jess Morales said. “It put the frosting on the cake.”
Salinas gave the San Benito girls team a run for its money, but the ‘Balers held off the Cowboys to take the team title by a point, 38-39.
“It was really intense,” girls coach Josh Morales said. “We knew coming in it was going to be a really tight match.”
Salinas’ Shannon McVannel took first in the girls race by running the 3.0-mile course in 18:59, but the balanced attack of the ‘Balers had four of the top nine finishers to get the edge.
Sophomore Courtney Allen paced the way for San Benito with her second-place time of 19:42. Junior Lauren Villasenor was sixth at 20:44, freshman AnnMari Rich was seventh at 20:50 and junior Sandy Meza was ninth at 20:55. Freshman Kristina Vasquez took 16th with her time of 21:31 to round out the ‘Balers top-five finishers.
“They really wanted it bad,” Josh Morales said. “In the past years, the Salinas girls have always won. … The whole first five girls stepped it up big time.”
The ‘Balers boys, led by senior Rigo Vasquez’s second-place finish, had no problem ensuring a San Benito sweep. The ‘Balers won the team title 43-78.
Vasquez’s time of 16:10 was bettered only by Alisal’s Diego Estrada, who finished the race in 15:41 to snap San Benito’s 10-year streak of having the top boys finisher at the league meet.
“If anybody was going to break our streak, I’m glad that he did it,” Jess Morales said. “He’s a humble kid.”
Sophomore Adrian Rodriguez took fourth overall with a time of 16:38 and fellow sophomores Erik Rodriguez (17:22), Frank Rivera (17:27) and Lance Villasenor (17:47) and senior Eddie Trujillo (17:49) all broke the 18-minute mark to help secure the league crown.
San Benito now sets its sights on the Central Coast Section meet Nov. 11 at Toro Park, where the ‘Balers will look for a top-two finish to earn a spot in the CIF Division I State Meet on Nov. 25 in Fresno.
“I think now we have to figure out what we have to do to get to the next level,” Jess Morales said. “It’s going to be hard to qualify to state.”
In addition to the two varsity titles, the San Benito boys junior varsity team took first place as a team. The ‘Balers’ Andrew Yacovone was the top JV finisher and Cameron Hill took second.
Behind the performances of Abbey Madison, Karina Gonzalez and Evie Betancourt, who took the third through fifth positions, the San Benito girls JV team took second place to help the ‘Balers earn the coveted Avis Kelly Trophy.
“Every kid put a little piece in that trophy,” Jess Morales said.
Jimmy Durkin is the Hollister Free Lance sports editor. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 ext. 334 or [email protected].
