The San Benito High boys cross country team didn’t have a single
individual finish in the top four at Saturday’s Chieftain Classic
in Salinas. But with every runner crossing the finish line within
the top 16 places at Toro Park, San Benito was assured a
first-place team standing, nonetheless.
SALINAS
The San Benito High boys cross country team didn’t have a single individual finish in the top four at Saturday’s Chieftain Classic in Salinas. But with every runner crossing the finish line within the top 16 places at Toro Park, San Benito was assured a first-place team standing, nonetheless.
Jose Castillo (16:56) led San Benito to the top spot and was fifth overall, while the Balers compiled a meet-low 50 points and were able to upend Willow Glen (69) and Cupertino (94) for first place.
“I felt pretty relaxed,” Castillo said. “I wasn’t stressed – just trying to stay relaxed the whole time.”
Castillo led a pack of Balers that, midway through the race at Salinas’ Toro Park, held the fifth- through 10th-place positions. The team spread out slightly over the second half of the race, but still managed to garner fifth, seventh, 10th, 12th and 16th place overall.
“We were really close,” Castillo said. “I was amazed. That’s the best we’ve had it in a long time.”
Boys coach Jess Morales was ecstatic after the race as well.
“All those guys are running together,” Morales said. “They’re believing in themselves. Any guy can win it.
“It’s a good problem to have and it’s a good thing we have right now.”
Behind Castillo in seventh place was sophomore Said Hernandez, who clocked a 17:01 for San Benito. Junior Sergio Alcala, meanwhile, took 10th at 17:10, while sophomore Omar Vasquez was 12th at 17:15 and freshman Ricardo Esqueda finished 16th in 17:25.
“I can’t believe how young we are, doing what we’re doing,” Morales said.
San Benito was even without one of its top runners in Eddie Guzman, who was sidelined with an Achilles injury.
“I can’t wait for him to come back,” Morales added.
One Lady Baler who did come back was Rachel Shimabukuro. A state qualifier last year as a junior, Shimabukuro was two weeks late coming out to the cross country team this season as she was trying to juggle work and school and sports.
“Hopefully, I’ve got my schedule worked out,” she said.
Shimabukuro’s late start to the season, however, may just be in theory. The senior harrier is already ahead of schedule as she recorded a personal record 19:52 on Saturday to take third place at the Chieftain Classic.
“My PR last year going into state wasn’t as good as today,” said Shimabukuro, who recalled clocking a 19:59 last season. “So I’m hoping for a really good season.”
Shimabukuro actually recorded the exact same time as second-place finisher Kristina Rivera of Willow Glen – 19:52 – but officials said Rivera beat the Lady Baler by a nose.
“By like literally that much,” said Shimabukuro, practically pinching her fingers together. “I got a really fast start. I was in the lead pretty much the whole time. It was pretty much us three girls the whole time.
“The last 800 (meters), I kicked it as hard as I could. I just barely missed the cut.”
Shimabukuro’s third-place finish anchored a San Benito squad that finished runner-up to league rival Notre Dame of Salinas by a 45-57 margin.
“Our team isn’t running where they should be running,” San Benito girls coach Josh Morales said. “They should be in the low 20’s. Right now, they are in the mid-21’s. They’re about a minute slow.
“Right now, some are sick and we’re trying to fight through it. But I expect more.”
Following behind Shimabukuro was Michelle Duarte, who recorded a 20:52 and finished in ninth place. Dayna Casillas (21:22) and Nicolette Perazzo (21:34) finished in 16th and 17th place, respectively, while Amanda Hill was 24th in 22:14.
