Baler boys’ squad looks to win sixth league title in a row
The San Benito High track and field season is about to get under
way.
While the Baler varsity boys’ team has its sights set on winning
its sixth league title in a row, the girls’ squad must overcome a
slew of key injuries if it’s to vie for the Tri County Athletic
League crown.
Baler boys’ squad looks to win sixth league title in a row
The San Benito High track and field season is about to get under way.
While the Baler varsity boys’ team has its sights set on winning its sixth league title in a row, the girls’ squad must overcome a slew of key injuries if it’s to vie for the Tri County Athletic League crown.
“We have 60-plus girls on the roster now and we didn’t lose too many from last year so it looks good,” Baler girls coach Julio Trinidad said. “But we do have a number of injuries and we did lose our long distance [running] threat, Amanda Boyd, from a year ago.”
On top of that the girls team lost senior Carly Brigantino – the top sprinter and pole-vaulter on the team – to a serious knee injury that she suffered during the soccer season.
“She is recovering faster than junior Ashley Gonzales so we might get her back by the end of the season,” Trinidad said.
Gonzales is another competitor that was injured during the soccer season, only her knee injury was much more serious than Brigantino’s, and she is expected to be out of action for a minimum of nine months.
Gonzales was the Balers No. 2 pole-vaulter behind Brigantino, and one of the team’s top 400-meter runners, sprinters and long jumpers. She and Brigantino were both on the 4×1 relay team.
And as bad as that roster hit sounds, the knee injuries don’t stop there.
Junior Bri Romero, is another player who suffered a serious knee ligament injury. She did so during the volleyball season and is also expected to be out of action for a year.
“What’s most sad is that this would have been the senior season for Carly (Brigantino) so she can’t compete again. At least the other two have a shot at coming back and competing for us next year,” Trinidad said.
The last time the girls’ team won a league title was in 2005. For the last several years the title has gone back and forth between the Balers and Salinas High School. Even with the injuries, the battle for this year’s title is expected to come down to the two schools again.
But Trinidad understands that with all of the key injuries he’ll need his healthy athletes to be able to go above and beyond once the season starts.
“We’ve still got some good girls,” Trinidad said. “Often out of tragedy comes triumph. We’re still going to go out there and try and win a league title.”
One athlete that will need to step things up is junior Lauren Villasenor. Normally, a relay, 400- and 800-meter runner, Villasenor is also going to compete in the pole vault this year in order to try and make up for the injury losses.
Trinidad has also been impressed with freshman Sophie Coelho, who will run the 100m, 200m and 4×1 relay as well as compete in the pole-vaulting events.
“She’s small but built tough,” Trinidad said. “She’s aggressive and she’s got some wheels on her. She’s going to be fast.”
The one department the Baler girls should be strongest in is in the 800m, 1,600m and 3,200m distance running events where all of the girls from the fall’s cross country squad that qualified for the state meet will be in action. They are: senior Dana Balsey, juniors Allison Meyer and Sandy Meza and freshmen Annmari Rich and Christina Vasquez.
Another event the Balers took a hit in this year is in the shot put. Last year senior Jackie Perrien set the school record when she hurled the heavy steel ball 36 feet, 11 inches. Her space on the roster is expected to be filled by senior Morgan O’Laughlin and Sarah and Lila Yolda.
Like the girls team, the Baler boys are expected to be strongest in the distance running events as senior cross-country standouts Rigo Vasquez and Eddie Trujillo will lead the way.
“Rigo is a great athlete. I’ve known him since he was a freshman,” Boys coach Iran White said. “And Eddie is a great competitor with a drive to win.”
Another senior who will give the Balers a huge boost in talent is Josh Schroder.
“He’s got a good shot at making the state this year in pole vaulting,” White said. “He’ll probably need to go 15′ 6″ or 16′ to qualify and he’s already cleared 15 feet.”
White believes that it’s Schroder’s passion for the event that separates him from the competition.
In the sprint events such as the 100m and 200m and the long and triple jump the Balers will look to junior Chris Koroluk to get the job done.
“He’s really developing nicely. I really like what I see,” White said. “He’s working hard and he should assert himself as a major player this year.”
Another runner to watch this season is sophomore Ryan Shorey. He is expected to compete in the 200m, the 400m and the relay events.
A year ago as a freshman, the standout athlete ran a 52 second 400m and is expected to set the school record in that event this year.
“He’s a bundle of raw talent with a good work ethic,” said White, who is in his fourth season as the head coach of the boys’ team.
Despite having a talent-rich pool of athletes, this year White sees his team in a different role.
“It’s the first time in a while that I feel like we’re the underdogs. When I look at all the athletes that we lost and all that Palma still has it’s going to be tough,” White said. “That’s not to say that we aren’t going to go for it. We are the champs and will be until they beat us. But they have a nice group of kids and a lot of talent. It will be interesting.”
John Bagley can be reached at jb*****@pi**********.com
