SALINAS
The San Benito High track and field teams tuned up for Friday’s Top 8 Track and Field Classic in Los Gatos with league victories over Palma and Notre Dame on Thursday.
The ‘Baler boys kept the Chieftains away with a 75-61 dual meet win, while the Lady ‘Balers equaled the same result but slightly more comfortably when it topped the Spirits 79-57.
Behind a 1-2 finish in the discus from Natalie Becker (93-10) and Tara Bugarin (90-8), as well as a 1-2 finish in the pole vault from Sophie Coelho (9-0) and Becker (8-6), San Benito positioned itself well ahead of Notre Dame to remain undefeated within Tri-County Athletic League play.
San Benito also received a victory in the 400 from Melisah Cortez (64.6).
Girls coach Laurie Cottrell also highlighted the performance of Chelsea Freitas, who took second in the high jump with a leap of 31-8. The jump, though, was a personal record for Freitas by approximately 11 inches, Cottrell said.
The ‘Baler boys, meanwhile, saw a sweep in the 300 hurdles when Evan McFadden, Scott Medina and Brian Curiel finished 1-2-3, while teammates David Kret and Ryan Shorey went 1-2 in the 800.
Official times were not provided at publication.
A select amount of San Benito tracksters will compete at the Top 8 Track and Field Classic in Los Gatos on Friday, a preview meet that is expected to showcase the best in the Central Coast Section.
The exclusive meet will begin at 3 p.m. at Los Gatos High with the discus event, and is expected to continue through the evening, concluding with the 4×400 relays at 8:25 p.m.
