Lady ‘Balers take care of Salinas 110-75 in the Tri-County
Athletic League opener, clock three more CCS times; boys fall
109-71
Hollister
Consider it San Benito’s version of a depth charge.
Last year, when the San Benito girls swim team took first place in 10 of the 12 events at the Tri-County Athletic League Finals, they finished in second place overall behind Salinas, which secured the top spot with plenty of high placings in the second- through sixth-place range.
On Thursday, San Benito did it again, as they took first in 11 of the 12 events. But this time, instead of taking a back seat to the Cowboys, they easily defeated Salinas 110-75 in Hollister in the TCAL opener.
The Lady ‘Balers even clocked three more qualifying times for the Central Coast Section meet.
Freshman Celina Stotler’s 5:30.42 in the 500 freestyle was approximately five seconds better than the CCS time, and she’ll head to the section meet at the end of the season.
Stotler’s time placed her second against Salinas, though, as teammate Lacey Larson took first in the event with a time of 5:27.00. Larson qualified for the CCS in the 500 free in the first meet of the season against Valley Christian.
Shelli Reed’s 59.36 in the 100 butterfly was also a CCS qualifying time, and it makes the sixth event she’s qualified in already this season. The other events include the medley relay, the 400 freestyle relay, the 100 free, 100 backstroke and 200 IM.
Reed also took first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:02.21.
Larson and Stotler also recorded another CCS time with Katie Buzzetta and Demi Gatrell in the 200 freestyle relay, as the foursome took first with a 1:47.55.
That time assures all three relay teams for the girls are CCS-bound.
“And the girls are only gonna get better,” coach Christine Schafer said.
On the boys side, Salinas won 109-71, but Schafer acknowledged the Haybalers’ progress in regards to the early season.
They did manage to take home a trio of firsts as well. Kyle Reuther took first in the 500 free with a 5:46.08; Steven Shattuck was first in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:08.45; and the 400 free relay team of Reuther, Shattuck, Ryan Whiteside and Clayton Slater took first in 3:42.25.
“I thought they did really well for where they are in their training,” Schafer said. “I’m looking forward to TCALs and I think they’ll be a lot stronger.”
In diving, Andrew Yacovone took second on Thursday with a score of 83.40.
The boys junior varsity upended Salinas 86-61, while the girls JV did the same by a 121-55 margin.
Other notable first-place finishes for the girls included Larson in the 200 free (2:03.14), Gatrell in the 200 IM (2:16.93) and the 100 breaststroke (1:14.72), and Buzzetta in the 50 free (26.80) and the 100 free (58.44).
The 200 medley relay of Buzzetta, Megan Geary, Reed and Stotler took first, while the 400 relay of Larson, Gatrell, Geary and Reed also finished in the top spot (3:55.16).
“I’m excited to see how the season progresses,” Schafer said. “I thought our boys stepped up really good today considering where they are in their training and they’re only gonna get better.
“It doesn’t take much to turn it around. Just a few different placements make a huge difference.”
San Benito will compete at Alisal next week. The diving portion will take place on Thursday and the swimming will happen on Friday. Both days will begin at 3:30 p.m.
