San Benito gets ready for season with scrimmage against North
Monterey County
Hollister– Take one look at the San Benito track and field team as it does its pre-meet stretching and the depth is evident. Lined up in a circle around the football field, the Haybalers easily fill the perimeter.
That depth, and plenty of talent, has San Benito looking for another strong season. The boys will be looking for a sixth straight title, while the girls will look to regain the title they last won in 2005.
“We feel pretty good about the season,” coach Iran White said. “We have to look out for Palma and Salinas. We expect to win but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
Both the boys and girls teams are paced by the distance events, which are highlighted by members of the Tri-County Athletic League champion cross-country teams.
Rigo Vasquez, a state qualifier in cross-country, will pace the boys team along with Eddie Trujillo, another cross-country runner who was also a first-team All-TCAL boys soccer selection.
Courtney Allen will shore up the distance events for the girls, helping to replace the loss of star runner Amanda Boyd to graduation. The rest of the girls cross-country team will also join her for the track season.
The ‘Baler with the chance to make the most noise this season, however, is senior pole vaulter Josh Schroeder – the lone returner out of San Benito’s three state qualifiers from a year ago.
Schroeder started the season strong in Saturday’s Samuelson Co-Ed Relays, setting a meet record with his mark 15-feet, 3 3/4 inches and he figures to challenge for a return trip to the state meet.
Freshman Jacob Funk and sophomore Frankie Rivera highlight the newcomers to the boys team. Funk is described by White as “a really hard worker and really talented,” and will run the 400 meters, 800 meters and relays. Rivera is a transfer from North Salinas and will run the 800 and the mile.
Chris Koruluk figures to be the team’s top 100 meter runner and also is scoring close to a 20-foot mark in the high jump.
“I think he’s going to have a great season,” White said of Koroluk.
Jamil Lee is strong in the high jump and also a solid sprinter while Steven Kostielney is returning from a one-year absence and figures to be the top thrower.
The girls squad comes in a bit hampered by injuries suffered by multi-sport stars. Carly Brigantino and Ashlyn Gonzales, who both were injured in the soccer season, will be missed.
They were the top two pole vaulters and Brigantino was one of the top sprinters and jumpers. Bri Romero will also be out of action due to an injury suffered in the state semifinals in volleyball.
Freshman Sophie Coelho, another soccer player who was the TCAL Freshman of the Year, should boost the squad in the sprints and relays. Junior Lauren Villasenor, a middle distance runner, also should be a factor and senior Morgan O’Laughlin expects to be the top girls thrower.
In addition to the Samuelson Relays, San Benito hosted North Monterey County on Thursday in a scrimmage where the Condors did not bring their full squad.
The ‘Balers officially kick off their season next week when they travel to face Alvarez at 3:30pm Thursday.
