‘Balers beat host North Salinas, prep for TCAL Championships
Salinas
The San Benito swim team received their final test of the regular season at North Salinas last Friday, and delivered a positive note in an easy defeat of the host Vikings.
The boys and girls teams combined to take first place in every race but one, as the Lady ‘Balers routed North Salinas 136-31 and the ‘Balers boys posted a 117-49 victory.
With the Tri-County Athletic League Championships slated for Saturday, the girls team went undefeated this season while the boys lost a single meet against Salinas.
“I think they’re looking really good,” coach Christine Schafer said. “I worked them a little harder this week and they were a little tired, but they’re strokes looked good.
“I think they’re gonna have an awesome TCALs.”
Perhaps the hard week paid off for Shelli Reed, who qualified in yet another event for the Central Coast Section meet.
Reed’s first-place finish in the 500 freestyle (5:17.47) makes it eight CCS events on the year for the San Benito junior. Although the CCS puts a max to the number of events one can compete in – Reed will likely be in two relays and two individual events – Schafer said “it’s fun to see what you can qualify for.”
Despite Reed’s qualifying time, Schafer noted that the meet was low-key, as she wants her team preparing for Saturday’s TCAL event.
“We still have a big challenge,” Schafer said. “Salinas is still there.”
Earlier this year in San Benito’s season opener, the Lady ‘Balers beat Salinas 110-75, while the boys fell short, 109-71.
Nevertheless, Schafer said the improvement on the team is almost immeasurable since the beginning of the season. Salinas, though, can probably boast a similar sentiment.
“If everyone does what they can do,” Schafer said, “we have an outstanding chance of winning that meet.”
The TCAL Swimming Championships will be held Saturday at Everett Alvarez at 10 a.m., while the Diving Championships will be held Wednesday at Everett Alvarez at 11 a.m.
