GILROY – In the late 1950’s and on into the early ’60’s, one of
the popular vocal groups of the day was the Four Freshmen.
GILROY – In the late 1950’s and on into the early ’60’s, one of the popular vocal groups of the day was the Four Freshmen. Anzar High girls cross country can boast about its own Four Freshmen, who finished in the top nine of Thursday’s tri-school meet at Gavilan College.
Vying against Mission Trail Athletic League foes King City and Greenfield at the 2.65-mile course, the quartet of Sarah Wisotski, Caitlin Moran, Eri Frazeur and Mizzy Woes, along with junior Elsa Vallejo, ran with temerity, along with some lizards, for a 41-point total.
Wisotski clocked 20:47 for second place, getting passed in the final 200 yards by a runner from King City. Still, her effort was appreciated.
“Wisotski worked hard this week and she showed what happens when you work hard,” said Hawks coach Michael Gunderson, in his seventh year.
“You have to feel pain and hurt to get something out of it. This was the result of her hard work.”
Woes (21:19, 6th), Moran (21:20, 7th), Frazeur (21:37, 9th) and Vallejo (23:03, 17th) ran inspired for the Hawks were without their best runner, Teryn Stone. Stone is suffering from shin splints in her left shin. She is day-to-day, but definitely start running no matter what in a week.
“I have to get ready for the league meet,” said Stone. “It hurts all the time, but I’m icing, using heat and inflammatories. I’m not giving up on this season.
“These girls ran awesome today,” she added. “It was cool.”
When the MTAL meet takes place Nov. 7 at Toro Park, Stone could be the favorite going in. That’s because defending champ Alexis Barajas of Greenfield is probably lost for the season with a quirky knee injury.
“Her ankles started hurting, then it was her right knee,” said Bruins coach Angel Villagomez. “It’s hard because she’s a senior. She’s on the cheerleading team and I can’t figure that out.”
The Hawk boys had serious injury problems and were forced to run without their top runner in Remigio Mireles (knee). Joining Mireles in street clothes Thursday were fellow runners Sam Stewart (knee), Brad Wedekin (back) and Kevin Parsons (ankle).
That left just three varsity runners, which is an incomplete team and can’t count in the team scoring. Running for the Hawks were senior Chas Armour (17:55), sophomore Caleb Ellison (18:47) and freshman Francisco Heath (17:45). Ellison bolted out of the gate to lead the pack and served as the rabbit du jour.
“We’ve been working on speed work,” said Ellison.
The sport also readies the 6-foot-4 Armour for basketball.
“I physically didn’t feel good, but my time was all right,” he said.
The Gavilan course may be short, but it’s hilly.
“There are some rough hills on the back stretch,” said Villagomez. “This gets us ready for the Monterey Bay Invitational.”
The Hawks aren’t scheduled to be at the 76-team MBI this Saturday at Toro Park. They next are at the MTAL Center Meet on Oct. 24, then host Santa Catalina, York and Soledad on Halloween.
Beating York would be a nice treat for the Hawks, who need a win over the Falcons at some point to be invited to the Division V (small schools) competition in the Central Coast Section championships.
As far as league champ goes, Gunderson doesn’t know who will win it.
“Anybody can beat anybody in this league,” said Gunderson. “It’s a wacky year.”
