Another race and another San Benito victory, as the boys
cross-country team won the Division I Stanford Invitational
championship Saturday, scoring a 77 and finishing with a total time
of 81:40.
The final time was 18 seconds faster than second place finisher
Carlmont.
Another race and another San Benito victory, as the boys cross-country team won the Division I Stanford Invitational championship Saturday, scoring a 77 and finishing with a total time of 81:40.
The final time was 18 seconds faster than second place finisher Carlmont.
Overall, the Baler runners averaged a time of 16:20 for the 5K race that brought schools from all around Northern California. In the Division I section, 19 schools competed including De La Salle, Bellarmine and Pleasant Grove.
Said Hernandez finished with the best time for San Benito, placing sixth with a time of 16:08. Right behind him was RJ Collins, who finished tenth with a time of 16:38.
The Balers were rounded out with 18th place finisher Steven Velarde, with a time of 16:22, 20th place finisher Omar Vasquez, with a time of 16:25, and Ricardo Esqueda, who finished 27th with a time of 16:32.
On the girls’ side, Vanessa Estrada led for nearly two-thirds of the race before placing third with a time of 18:23.
Overall, the girls finished ninth out of 29 teams with a total score of 272 and time of 100:52.
Maura Forbush finished second for the Balers, and 32nd overall, with a time of 19:49.
Freshman Amy Quinones was the only other Baler to finish under 20 minutes, ending with a time of 19:53 – good for 37th place.
“They were tickled to death by the times,” boys coach Jess Morales said. “The kids are young but we have a good program.”
Girls Volleyball
The team entered its tournament in Menlo-Atherton on Saturday struggling – dropping to an overall record of 5-10 thanks to tough loses to North Salinas and Salinas on Tuesday and Thursday.
But against Salinas on Thursday, the Balers found momentum that carried over to the weekend’s tournament. After dropping the first two sets against the Cowboys, the Balers pulled off an inspired set three win, running away with the final two points to win 26-24.
But in the fourth – and eventual final set of the match – the Balers couldn’t hold off the charging Cowboys. Regardless, the Balers did gain some momentum and confidence.
“They have no lack of heart,” head coach Dean Askanas said. “They are scrappy and are getting better every game.”
Over the weekend, the Balers went 2-3 in the out-of-town tournament, dropping two games to Carlmont and host Menlo-Atherton.
The Balers were able to pull off a pair of 2-0 victories over Live Oak and Evergreen. The two wins allowed the Balers to compete in the third-place game against Menlo-Atherton.
The Balers lost the final match 2-0 to finish in fourth place.
“They are playing better,” Askanas said. “They are improving and hopefully once the playoffs come around we will be able to beat the better teams.”
The Balers host Gilroy on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Girls Tennis
The Balers kept their winning streak alive Thursday, beating Christopher 6-1 – their fourth win in a row.
The Balers only loss was tallied by the team’ s No. 1 player Ally Triolo, who lost in three sets by scores of 2-6, 6-3 and 9-11.
“It was a very close match and could have gone either way,” head coach Ed Cecena said
The Balers took the rest of the matches, though, thanks to straight set wins by Kelsey Slavich, Amanda Alvarez and double partners Annie Tobias and Makenzie Miguel.
The Balers’ Audrey Marshall was able to win a three-set match by a score of 1-6, 6-3 and 11-9.
The Balers travel to Monterey on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
Dealing with devastating injuries to its team, the San Benito girls water polo squad was able to place third overall during its tournament over the weekend in Watsonville.
Without starter, and one of the teams leading scorers, Rachel Estep because of a concussion suffered against San Lorenzo Valley, the Balers struggled to find their rhythm against Carmel on Thursday – dropping the game 12-9.
The Balers went into the fourth quarter tied at 6, but were unable to keep up with Carmel. Hannah Blake led the Balers with three goals and Caitlin Schafer added two goals and 15 steals.
But after dropping the first game to Santa Cruz 19-14 over the weekend, the Balers dominated, winning its next three games.
In the team’s 13-7 win over Santa Clara, Schafer stole nine passes and scored six goals. Hannah Smith contributed five more goals in the win.
Against host Watsonville, the Balers won 15-3. Schafer contributed three goals and 16 steals in the win.
“Caitlin (Schafer) is a stealing machine,” head coach Hayley Vandercook said.
In the final game of the tournament, the Balers beat Woodside 18-7 to claim the third place title. Schafer again led the Balers with seven goals and 11 steals in the game.
The Balers host Salinas on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
