Gilroy High’s track and field teams received standout
performances from several familiar faces in a dual with the Alvarez
Eagles at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in Gilroy Wednesday
afternoon. But the production of some less heralded athletes was
what helped the Mustangs surpass Alvarez by a score of 78-54 on the
boys’ side and 81-50 on the girls’.
Gilroy High’s track and field teams received standout performances from several familiar faces in a dual with the Alvarez Eagles at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in Gilroy Wednesday afternoon. But the production of some less heralded athletes was what helped the Mustangs surpass Alvarez by a score of 78-54 on the boys’ side and 81-50 on the girls’.
Juan Velasquez and Weston Harlan took first in the 800 meters (2 minutes, 13.63 seconds) and pole vault (10 feet), respectively, for the boys, while ladies Julianne Leong and Victoria Salas won the triple jump (30-11) and pole vault (6-0), respectively.
Salas’ victory was a special surprise since she was the first female vaulter of the year for Gilroy.
Thrower Kim Johnson got back on track by taking first in the discus (96-8) and Matt Ondeiezek held serve on the boys’ side by winning the discus with a toss of 124 feet.
Sprinters Steven Heisey, Peter Guenther, Nick Rodriguez and Travis Reyes, as well as long-distance runner Derek Pesta, all took first in their respective events.
“I have to hand it to the boys, mainly the seniors, they were not going to let Alvarez beat them in their last home dual meet,” Gilroy coach Jeff Myers said. “The guys have a lot of pride and have worked hard. The sprinters ran well today, and Derek (Pesta) did what Derek does – dominate the distance races.”
Brandie Rodriguez took one for the team by competing in the 400, an event somewhat outside her comfort zone, according to Myers, but ended up taking first with a time of 1:06.53. Sarah Unadia took first in the 100 hurdles and high jump, tying her personal record of 5-2, and Kathleen Miller continued to dominate the 3200 by taking first in a time of 12:13.5. Lindsey Foster also took first by winning the 200 in 27.64.
Gilroy will travel to North Salinas Tuesday to take part in the Tri-County Athletic League trials before returning home for the league finals Friday. GHS will then host the Central Coast Section championships Saturday, May 17.
“I am happy CCS will be at Gilroy this year,” Myers said. “It will be great for them to run in front of family and friends.”
More results from Gilroy’s meet with Alvarez as well as results from last weekend’s Avis Kelley Invitational can be found online at gilroydispatch.com/sports
—
VARSITY BOYS
Gilroy 78, Alvarez 54
Derek Pesta 4:49.65 1600 1st
Derek Pesta 10:31.91 3200 1st
Peter Guenther 11.22 (PR) 100 1st
Steven Heisey 52.95 400 1st
Matt Ondeiezek 124-00 Discus 1st
Weston Harlan 10-0 Pole Vault 1st
Juan Velasquez 2:13.63 800 1st.
VARSITY GIRLS
Gilroy 81, Alvarez 50
Sara Unadia 5-2 HJ 1st
Sara Unadia 15.56 100 Hurdles 1st
Lindsey Foster 27.64 200 1st
Julianne Leong 30-11 TJ 1st
Kim Johnson 96-8 Discus 1st
Kathleen Miller 12:13.5 3200 1st
Brandie Rodriquez 1:06.53 400 1st
Victoria Salas 6-0 Pole Vault 1st
Full Avis Kelley Invitational Results
