Since the Central Coast Section toughened its qualifying times in almost every event in place for the 2014 season, it behooves every individual and team to post strong performances from the beginning of the season, not just the end.
Of course, every team has a goal to peak near the end of the season, since that’s when the most important meets occur. However, the urgency to post qualifying times to gain entry into the CCS Championships has taken on added importance, especially for San Benito, which traditionally doesn’t have the depth of the top-tier teams in the section.
“We try to get in our qualifying times as we go, but since it’s a very short season, you practice hard from the start and hope the kids have enough rest so they can post great times when necessary,” Haybalers coach Christine Schafer said.
“We’d like to be strong enough to peak for CCS, but our team isn’t big enough (in numbers) for that, so I want to make sure the team is rested and ready for the league championships, which is our priority.”
The San Benito girls have won a league championship in six of the last seven years, and they’re probably the odds-on favorite to win the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division this season.
While not having the quality in numbers of the 2013 squad — “Last year we were ridiculously deep in talent and numbers,” Schafer said — the Balers have a strong core unit of returners, including Haley Larson, Michelle Brunido, Gracie Larson, Hayleigh Smith, Heather Smith, Katie Logue, Shannon Stevens and Brianna Huntley.
Haley Larson has looked real strong in the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley events. The senior is probably the Balers’ best hopeful to qualify for an individual event in the CCS Meet; last year she qualified in the 200 IM.
Brunido, a junior, swims the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle; Grace Larson, a sophomore, competes in the shorter breaststroke and freestyle categories; and Hayleigh Smith, a sophomore, excels in the short freestyle events.
Stevens gives the team added depth in the sprinting races. Heather Smith and Logue are distance swimmers, and Huntley swims the backstroke.
“Our girls’ team looks pretty strong once again,” Schafer said. “We’re not as deep as we were last year, but I really feel good in terms of what the girls can accomplish this season.”
In a league dual meet against Christopher two weeks ago, San Benito’s 200-medley relay team of Hayleigh Smith, Grace Larson, Haley Larson and Brunido posted a CCS qualifying time of 2:00.37.
On the boys’ side, the numbers are a bit down but the talent is promising. In senior Corey Latham (distance events), junior Gus Sperzem (butterfly and IM), senior Colton Owczarzak (all-around), and sophomore Jake Last (breaststroke and freestyle), the Balers have four standout swimmers who can be relied upon to post consistent times.
“The boys’ team is building,” Schafer said. “Corey, Gus, Colton and Jake have experience, but after them you’re talking about kids who are relatively new to the sport and who don’t really swim club in the off-season. So it’s a building process, and you just try to get them as much race experience as possible.”
Like most programs, San Benito has a small group of divers; Schafer said the most promising diver is Dakota Nix, who has made tremendous strides in a short amount of time.
