”
The boys could get the podium, maybe second place,
”
GHS head coach Jeff Myers said.
GILROY – At this point of the season, the only thing running through the minds of Julius Travis, Romeo Travis, David Guenther and Jourdan Soares is a berth into the CIF Track and Field Championships on June 4.
The four speedsters that make up the Gilroy High boys 4X100-meter relay team took another stride toward that goal at the Central Coast Section Semifinals at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex on Saturday.
The section’s third-fastest group posted a 43.17 to get themselves through to the CCS Finals on Friday at GHS.
Seeded behind only St. Ignatius College Prep and Bellarmine College Prep – just barely – the Mustangs are poised to finish in the top-three, which would guarantee them a spot in the state meet.
“They are keeping right with the private schools,” GHS head coach Jeff Myers said at practice Monday.
Hard at work at practice Monday afternoon, the three juniors (the Travis brothers and Guenther) and the sophomore Soares, focused the first part of their training on the baton exchange.
“State is so much different, so much better,” Guenther said. “We definitely want that state experience.”
The top-notch relay team wasn’t the only bright spot for the boys’ team Saturday.
Julius clocked a 10.93 in the 100-yard dash and a 22.35 in the 200 to advance to the finals in both events.
Julius said he expects both races to be highly competitive.
“We should all be pushing each other to go faster,” he said.
Soares, who said he is the closest he has been to 100 percent after suffering a hip injury early in the season, not only marked a personal-record of 22 feet, 7.25 inches in the long jump but eclipsed a 34-year-old frosh/soph record previously owned by Alvin Lebhrez (22-03.5), to enter the finals as the No. 1 seed.
“I had been holding back but this time I wanted to see what I can get,” Soares said.
Patrick Hughes continued his rise in the pole vault, qualifying second with a 13-06, two inches shorter than the school record he set at last weekend’s league championships.
“The boys could get the podium, maybe second place,” Myers said of the team’s chances at finals. “They were good last year, but talent isn’t enough. They put in the hard work this year and really came through.”
Senior Sarah Una Dia will be in the final group in the high jump, making the cut with a 5-01.
“It is her best event right now,” Myers said.
Sophomore Sarina Sandoval soaked up the playoff atmosphere and used it to her advantage in the shot put, posting a 36-03 to qualify in the eight position.
“I’ve never had people cheer for me. It’s usually just my family, but everyone was clapping,” Sandoval said.
Friday’s finals begin at 4 p.m. with the field disciplines followed by the track events at 6 p.m.
