The San Benito cross-country team opened the 2012 league season in a strong way Wednesday, blowing away six Monterey Bay League opponents.
The Balers took first in both the boys and girls races as Steven Velarde and Vanessa Estrada ran strong during the 5,000-meter race at the MBL’s first meet at Alisal High.
San Benito competed against Gilroy, Monterey, North Monterey County, Notre Dame, Palma and Salinas during the meet.
In the boys race, Velarde (15:59) and Ricardo Esqueda (16:03) finished first and second to give San Benito an easy victory.
Sophomore Javier Azcona (17:19) placed 15th and freshman Juan Gutierrez (17:25) finished in 18th place to give the Balers four runners in the top 20.
The Balers were even stronger on the girls side. Led by last year’s fastest runner, Estrada, San Benito placed five runners in the top 15.
Estrada finished first with a time of 17:38, while senior teammate Maura Forbush placed second with a time of 19:04. It was the fastest time Estrada has ever run at 5,000 meters, beating her previous time by nearly a minute.
Sophomore Amy Quinones placed eighth, finishing with a time of 20:03 to round out the Balers’ top-10 finishers. Bernadette Forbush (20:49) and Megan Pape (21:14) each finished in the top 15.
The Balers will run again at the Central Park Invite in Santa Clara on Tuesday.
