Youthful boys track team looks to reclaim TCAL title
HOLLISTER
On Tuesday, San Benito senior thrower Frankie Martinez stood behind the discus net during practice and explained proper footwork to fellow thrower Jake Hunter, and perhaps anyone else who would listen.
After all, Martinez is currently ranked No. 1 in the Central Coast Section through the early season. His discus toss of 152-01 at the Mount Pleasant Relays on March 6 — San Benito’s very first meet of the season — still stands as the top throw on the year, besting Mills’ Erik Kramer by 16 inches.
“I’m looking to get a little bit further than that, though,” said Martinez, who placed fourth at CCS last season with a 155-03. “I want to get at least 180, or around 180.”
Martinez’s high hopes for the season only make the senior thrower a leader by example.
He is not only one of the few returning members to the varsity boys track team this season that advanced to the CCS Finals last year, but he’s also one of the few seniors on the squad as well.
With just 10 seniors on a boys track team that is approximately 90 strong, Martinez and other upperclassmen are sure to be providing plenty of pointers and leadership as the season progresses.
“Having a large group of kids gives you a potentially large raw-talent pool,” said San Benito boys coach Iran White, who had roughly 80 athletes on the team a year ago.
And despite the loss of top seniors like Ryan Shorey, Evan McFadden, Nik Soza and Sam Stephens, all of whom advanced to at least the CCS Trials last season in their respective events, White believes his current varsity roster could be stronger this year.
Junior Jason Roascio (200, 400) returns to the team after being a member of last season’s 4×400 foursome that earned the section championship with school-record time of 3:21.74. In addition to his individual events, Roascio will run in the 4×400 again, and will be joined by CCS-qualifier Scott Medina, who also runs hurdles for San Benito but advanced to the section meet last season in high jump.
Sophomore David Kret (800) and Felipe Davila both return and will make up the two remaining legs of the 4×400 team, which clocked a 3:29.24 at the Wildcat Relays on March 13, the second fastest time in the CCS this season.
Meanwhile, distance runners Eddie Guzman and Jose Castillo, each of whom advanced to the CCS Trials last season, have already recorded times of 9:53.08 and 9:53.93 in the 3,200 meters, which places them in seventh and ninth place among the top times in the CCS, respectively.
“That’s big talent,” White said. “The returning kids that we have are a lot stronger this year. David (Kret) and Jason (Roascio) and Scott (Medina), they were competing at CCS levels last year as sophomores. Now they’re juniors and they’ll be back next year, too.”
One who won’t be back next year is Enrique Ramos, who although is a senior this year is competing in track for the first time. His throw of 44-06 in the shot put event at the Wildcat Relays is currently ranked eighth in the CCS, while Martinez trails in ninth place with a 43-02.
Other athletes to watch for include Jayjoel Fernandez, who will compete in the 110 hurdles, while Lucas Haro (hurdles, triple jump) and Zach Nitzel (200, 400, 4×100) are expected to make waves as well.
“But it’s really early in the year,” White said.
White is liking his team’s early-season times, though. However, most of San Benito’s events have been relay meets to date, leaving the head coach to unofficially clock his runners during practice.
“We’re under the radar right now,” White added. “We kind of like it that way.”
Those looking in from the outside should not expect anything less than a championship-caliber team to come out of San Benito, though. Although their title-winning streak ended just last season when Salinas narrowly won the league championship, the Balers had previously won the TCAL crown for seven straight years.
Reclaiming the honor could come down to an event or two like it did last year, when Salinas compiled 114 points at the TCAL Championships and bested San Benito by just 10 points.
“I honestly think it’s gonna be close again this year,” White said. “Palma is gonna be a bit stronger than last year after being so youthful.
“But as far as I’m concerned, Salinas is the returning champ. We’re going for them, but we’re not gonna underestimate anyone else.”
Said Martinez, “It’s just determination. When you lose something, you want to fight to get it back.”
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Frankie Martinez will compete at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday at Cobb Track and Angell Field in Palo Alto. Joining Martinez will be the boys’ 4×400, 4×800 and distance medley relays, as well as pole vaulter Sophie Coelho.
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Read Tuesday’s edition of the Hollister Free Lance for a spring preview on the San Benito High girls track team.
