New course. Similar result. The San Benito cross country teams
were dealt with a difficult course at Natividad Creek on Monday in
Salinas.
Salinas – New course. Similar result.
The San Benito cross country teams were dealt with a difficult course at Natividad Creek on Monday in Salinas.
The weather was perfect and the hills were minor, though, so the harriers of San Benito and Alisal were usually cruising downhill most of the time.
But it was difficult, at least for San Benito, because they had previously never run the course before.
“It was hard. I think I’d rather run Park Hill,” said Courtney Allen of the Hollister course that some consider to be the toughest in the Tri-County Athletic League. “But I think it’s because I’m use to (Park Hill). Before the meet started, everyone was so confused.”
The Lady ‘Balers ran with a rabbit, or a guide, ahead of them to keep them on track. But even with the rabbit, however, some runners would veer off the course accidentally, and would need to backpedal their way back on.
“I was kind of mad at the starting line,” Allen said. “I don’t know this course. I don’t know if I’ll do well.”
Nevertheless, despite the disadvantage, Allen and the Lady ‘Balers defeated Alisal 20-35 Monday, with Allen (19:49) and Vanessa Farias (20:36) finishing in first and second, respectively.
“I think I could have done better, personally,” Farias said. “I thought we were at a disadvantage because we didn’t know the course too well, but as a team, I thought we did OK. We did good.”
Dayna Casillas (22:17) finished fourth among the 10 total girls Monday, while Brandi Callanta (23:57) and Elizabeth Moreno (24:38) finished in sixth and seventh, respectively.
“Our girls are coming along,” girls coach Josh Morales said. “We’re looking consistent. When we run at the finals, we should do pretty good.”
Morales added the while the course was relatively flat, there were plenty of loops and turns – turns that were anything but gradual.
And while the boys race was without a rabbit leading the way, the ‘Balers had a different approach, and easily won 22-36.
In their race, Alisal’s Diego Estrada won the varsity race by more than a minute, but was essentially a distant rabbit for some of the ‘Balers, who finished in second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth.
Adrian Rodriguez (16:33) finished first for San Benito, second overall, while teammate Frankie Rivera (16:33.72) finished less than a second behind Rodriguez.
Erik Rodriguez (17:53), Curtis Wright (18:09) and Lance Villasenor (18:47) went fourth, sixth and seventh, respectively, to round out San Benito among the 13 total runners.
“First time running it, so no PRs,” Erik Rodriguez said of the course.
“I actually liked it,” added Rivera, “but this course is tricky.”
The ‘Balers were nicely bunched in the race, and although they didn’t take first place overall, Jess Morales said “it’s a good thing that we’re doing.”
“We want to be close together,” said Adrian Rodriguez. Added Erik, “That’s how we run – run close together and we all come in with close times.”
The dual meet against Alisal marked the second race since Saturday for the Haybalers, as San Benito competed at the Clovis Invitational last weekend.
Lady ‘Baler Allen took ninth overall out of 172 timed participants, and set a personal record of 18:49, while Elizabeth Moreno (21:11) and Vanessa Farias (21:22) finished in 87th and 93rd, respectively.
Dayna Casillas (22:31) crossed in 127th place, Brandi Callanta (23:05) took 139th, Linnea Shorey (23:32) finished 146th and Grace Tobias (23:45) took 151st.
As a team, the Lady ‘Balers took 16th overall among some 30 teams.
The ‘Balers nabbed 10th as a team in the boys race. Adrian Rodriguez (16:54) took 34th, Frankie Rivera (16:58) was in 37th, Lance Villasenor (16:59) took 39th, Jose Castillo (17:31) crossed the line in 71st, Eduardo Guzman (17:35) was in 74th, Erik Rodriguez (18:05) finished in 111th and Luis Ruiz (18:10) was in 115th.
“The guys ran a good race on Saturday and placed 10th,” Jess Morales said, “and we’re ready to start running to get ready for next Saturday.”
San Benito will be in Belmont Saturday for the Crystal Springs Invitational at 8am.
