After several outstanding performances at Saturday’s St. Francis
Invitational, Gilroy High track and field will be represented at
one of the most prestigious high school invites in the country.
After several outstanding performances at Saturday’s St. Francis Invitational, Gilroy High track and field will be represented at one of the most prestigious high school invites in the country.
The Mustangs showcased their collective speed and endurance in the varsity girls Distance Medley Relay (DMR) – which consists of a 1200-meter race followed by a 400, 800 and then1600 – with Kathleen Miller, Christine Bobula, Brandie Rodriguez and Elise Ogle combining for a time of 13:09.18, good enough for second at the event and a qualifying mark for the Arcadia Invitational.
“They ran well under the time they were supposed to,” Gilroy coach Jeff Myers said. “We have quality runners, so I didn’t think we would have any trouble with that one. We just had to do it.”
The boys’ 800 medley relay team of Travis Reyes, Peter Guenther, Nick Rodriguez and Steven Heisey came within a hair of qualifying for the same invite, finishing just .31 seconds behind the qualifying mark of 1:39.
“This just missed the qualifying time for Arcadia, but it may earn them an alternate spot,” Myers said.
The individual performance of the day belonged to Guenther. Immediately following the 800 medley, Guenther had to decide whether or not he wanted to run in the 300 intermediate hurdles.
“I told Peter it was up to him, but that he might as well go for it,” Myers said.
The result was a personal record for Guenther, who finished third in a time of 40.44, shaving two seconds off of his prior best while also meeting the exact mark needed to qualify for Arcadia.
The Mustangs will have several relay teams and individuals (including Sara Unadia – who took first place in the High Jump at the Frosh-Soph Classic at Los Gatos Friday by clearing five feet) waiting to hear if their marks end up being good enough to compete at Arcadia on April 11-12.
“It just depends on (the field),” Myers said. “Some events are stronger than others year to year. Athletes from over 500 schools are entered so it’s a huge event.”
The team will be notified Wednesday.
