Going into Saturday's Division I cross-country state championship in Fresno, the lone Baler representative Vanessa Estrada had one goal: Retribution for - in her mind - a sub-par performance at the Central Coast Section championships two weeks earlier.
For the first time in two years, the Hawks sent two runners to the CIF State Cross-country championships Saturday. Diego Leon and Diego Avila didn't compete for a championship in Fresno, but the two Hawks developed experience.
When sophomore Diego Avila began the 2011 season on the Anzar High varsity cross-country squad, he never imagined he would race in the Central Coast Section championship, let alone the state championship.
The season ended a step below the ultimate goal for the San Benito boys and girls cross-country teams Saturday. The teams failed to place in the top two of the Division I Central Coast Section championship at Belmont, finishing their season before the state championship.
A year ago, San Benito went into the Central Coast Section finals with high hopes. Both squads were coming off Tri-County Athletic League championships and expected to have good showings in the CCS race.