Boyd, Merrigan, Schroder
&
amp; Vasquez head south to elite track
&
amp; field meet
Arcadia – Some of the nation’s best athletes convening in an midseason competition? Warm temperatures becoming a factor for the first time this season? Yes, the track and field season is heating up.
Four San Benito athletes tackled the prestigious Arcadia Invitational on Saturday, testing their mettle against an elite field. Just a week after competing in the Stanford Invitational, Amanda Boyd, Todd Merrigan, Josh Schroder and Rigo Vasquez headed south and again showed why they are at the heart of the Haybalers’ success this season.
Schroder, competing in the afternoon session of the pole vault, was San Benito’s only place-winner, taking second by clearing a personal-best mark of 14-3. Only Michael Simms of Servite High School topped the ‘Baler’s mark, gaining entry into the night session with a vault of 15-3.
San Benito coach Jess Morales was most impressed with Schroder’s temperament, especially in facing the top-notch field as a junior.
“There’s something about him,” said Morales. “As young as he is, he’s very relaxed. He went there and just did it. He was just having fun out there. He had nothing to lose.”
Merrigan faced a deeper field in the evening competition, a group loaded with fellow returning State qualifiers. San Benito’s record holder in the pole vault topped out at 14-2, good for 12th place. Kyle Mills-Bunje of St. Francis (Mountain View) won the event by clearing 16-2.
Vasquez, who has been working with Morales on becoming just as strong in the 3200-meter race as he is in the one mile, took on hot temperatures in addition to a tough field in the afternoon session. The Haybaler placed 19th out of 33 runners in the 3200, finishing in 9:58.29.
Morales said the Arcadia experience will be invaluable as Vasquez continues to improve.
“It was good to see Rigo go as a junior,” said Morales.
As for Boyd, Morales saw nothing but encouraging signs from the senior’s performance.
“She went out and challenged all the runners there,” said Morales of Boyd, who competed in the one-mile seeded race. “It’s early season, so she’s doing good. It’s all coming back to her now.”
Boyd finished seventh in her race, posting a time of 5:11.18. Candace Eddy of Davis High School won the race in 5:02.09.
Morales believes Boyd is rounding into fine form.
“She’s more relaxed with what she’s doing,” said the San Benito distance coach. “She was more aggressive. She’s getting that rhythm and that confidence back.”
After watching Boyd, Merrigan, Schroder and Vasquez compete alongside many State and National leaders, Morales had one lasting thought.
“It was good to see four ‘Balers represent Hollister.”
