As Marisa Villegas talked about her performance in the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships on May 29 at San Jose City College, she couldn’t help but get emotional.
After all, the San Benito High sophomore had accomplished her goal of qualifying for the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships on Friday and Saturday at Buchanan High in Clovis.
Villegas got it done by finishing second in the 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes, 58.20 seconds, her second fastest time ever. Last year, Villegas ran a 4:58.96 to finish fifth in the finals, two spots away from making state.
“This is what I’ve been working on since that race last season,” she said. “It was my goal to make it to state, and I’m just happy I was able to do it this time. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort, and it’s great when you can just put it all out there and accomplish what you set out to do.”
Villegas was in good shape the entire way. Stationed near the front of the pack 75 meters into the race, Villegas never lost sight of Gunn’s Gillian Meeks, who won the race in 4:57.98. In fact, Villegas was coming on strong and nearly caught Meeks at the finish line.
Running with near-perfect form, Villegas had second place well in hand from the get-go. Last week in the CCS Semifinals, Villegas hit a PR of 4:56.85, and at that point she knew she was right on track in terms of her fitness, conditioning and stamina.
Villegas, who went 5:03.57 in the CCS Top 8 Classic on April 17 but otherwise has been posting times consistently in the 5:13 to 5:20 range throughout the season, said superior competition brings out the best in her.
In other words, when there is someone else pushing Villegas, she usually hits another gear. Villegas was looking to qualify for state in the 800 as well, but it proved to be too tough.
A loaded field in the 800—the top four finishers all ran sub 2:15—combined with the fact that the race started an hour after the completion of the 1,600 made Villegas’ 800-1,600 attempt one of the tougher ones of the competition.
Only one other girl besides Villegas—Monta Vista’s Kelly Bishop—ran both the 800 and 1,600. Despite expending so much energy in the 1,600, Villegas still ran her second fastest time ever in the 800.
“The 800 was very tough,” she said. “But I gave it my all and there’s a lot that I can build upon for the future.”
Haybalers coach Bob Rawles said everyone in the program was happy for Villegas, who was recently voted on by her teammates to be the captain of next year’s team. Selfless, hard working and focused, Villegas has had one of the greatest seasons in San Benito High sports history.
At the Monterey Bay League Finals, Villegas won an unprecedented four individual events. Rawles said Villegas has been the ultimate team player, competing in a number of different events this season to rack up points for the team.
“We’ve asked Marisa to do a bunch of things for the team,” Rawles said. “She is a complete representation of our work ethic and what the program stands for. Everyone is impressed with her talent and competitiveness to be the best. Her leadership qualities always show in her actions.”
Villegas shows no signs of letting up, either. She’s peaking at the perfect time, and there’s no telling just how fast she can go.
“I can see her going underneath 4:50 by the time she graduates, and that’s unheard of,” Rawles said. “She just barrels through and keeps on going.”
The Balers had one other girl in the CCS Finals in Amy Quinones, who finished eighth in the 800 in 2:17.61. The race capped a great career for the Sacramento State-bound Quinones, a two-time MBL Cross-Country champion.
