Hollister High’s Lee Ann Morales raced courageously, but
couldn’t quite out-kick Nicole Williams of Salinas at Saturday’s
Tri-County Athletic League girls varsity cross-country
championships at Toro Park.
SALINAS – Hollister High’s Lee Ann Morales raced courageously, but couldn’t quite out-kick Nicole Williams of Salinas at Saturday’s Tri-County Athletic League girls varsity cross-country championships at Toro Park. Morales was a distant second with about 500 yards to go when she started to close the gap on Williams. Williams, who made a wrong turn in a dual meet at Park Hill last Oct. 14 to lose to Morales, didn’t stray from the course this time and hung on for the win.
Williams clocked 20:19 to Morales’ 20:26.
“I was a little surprised that she closed ground on me,” said the sophomore Williams of Morales. “She’s a strong runner. Sprinting’s not my forte. I thought about the time I made a wrong turn and lost, but it wasn’t foremost on my mind. I just wanted to run with passion today. I wanted to prove myself.”
Morales regretted a strategical move.
“I should have made my move earlier,” said Morales, a junior. “My pace was too slow at the beginning. I’ll get her in CCS.”
The Cowboys, who bested the Balers 32-39 to win the team title, will join the Balers in competing in Division I of the Central Coast Section championships at Toro Park on November 16.
Baler junior Kory Case fought back the flu bug to place sixth, earning All-TCAL along with Morales. Case, who hesitated down the stretch and nearly stopped, ran 22:00. Katherine Parker of Hollister was eighth with a time of 22:28. Nereyda Garcia, who had a fine season for a freshman, was 10th at 22:45. Briana Colorado was 13th at 23:26. Teralynn Hill was 15th at 23:44.
“The girls ran as well as they could,” said girls coach Jennifer Logue. “As long as they do that, I can’t be unhappy. Salinas just ran faster.”
The Balers won the mythical junior varsity title with a score of 23 points. Freshman Jamila Saqqa was first at 23:26, followed by Valeria Fuentes, who was second at 23:30. In fourth was the Balers Brenda Garibay at 23:45. Freshman Ambur Cameron was sixth at 24:04, while Shannon Farnham was 10th at 24:53. Other Balers included Jennifer Anaya (11th-24:53), Divya Banesh (13th-26:37) and Cindy Contreras (14th-26:42).
