Gilroy
– From a won-loss standpoint, Gilroy was unsuccessful Thursday
in its Tri-County Athletic League track and field meet against
Salinas at Garcia-Elder Complex.
Gilroy – From a won-loss standpoint, Gilroy was unsuccessful Thursday in its Tri-County Athletic League track and field meet against Salinas at Garcia-Elder Complex.
And yet, in losing the Mustangs showed just how far they have come in one year. Salinas won the boys meet 69-66 and the girls meet 71-51. The scores last year were the Cowboys 91-45 in the boys meet and 98-37 in the girls meet.
“We closed the gap from last year which means we made improvements to our team,” GHS coach Jeff Myers said. “The staff and kids are working real hard. Last year was step one. This year we’re taking the second step. You walk before you run.”
Try telling that to junior Derek Pesta, who turned in a 4:36 mile and 10:35 2-mile, both 11 seconds faster than he ran last week. Or Ariana Vera, who clocked 13.4 in the 100 and 27.06 in the 200. Or Elise Ogle, whose 5:35 mile was 45 seconds faster than she had ever run it.
In Pesta’s case, he was a dominant frosh-soph runner last year who put in the time during the offseason to become a strong varsity performer. Vera is just now getting her “track legs” after playing soccer. And Ogle is merely trying to find out where she fits best.
Freshman Sarah Unadia was the top-scoring individual for the short-handed Mustang girls who were missing four key performers for various reasons. Unadia won the high jump in 4-6, the 110 hurdles in 17.12 and the 300 hurdles in 51.45.
“I’m surprised I made it to varsity,” Unadia said. “I didn’t think I would be getting wins as a freshman in events. I think I can do better if I do more cardio work. I’m pretty happy with what I did.”
“Sarah is really strong athletically and physically,” Myers said. “It’s a matter of her being in track shape.”
He could have said that for Vera as well, although the sophomore nicknamed “Cheetah” by her soccer teammates showed off her speed in the sprint relay as well.
The top individual effort among the girls was turned in by Salinas standout Shannon McVannel. The senior headed to California State University-Chico on athletic scholarship blazed to a 11:45 in the 2-mile run, nearly lapping the entire field.
Sophomore Peter Guenther was the big scorer among the Mustang boys, taking first in the 100 (11.7), 110 hurdles (16.26), was second in the 300 hurdles (43.11) and ran a leg on the winning 4 x 100 relay team.
“I’m happy with what I did,” Guenther said. “I want to PR in every meet.”
“That’s what I like about the kids,” Myers said. “They’re setting goals and achieving them, and then setting new goals, which is good.”
Gilroy athletes did well in the discus. Ismael Gutierrez won on the boys side with a toss of 121-8. Remedios Garcia led a girls sweep of the event with a toss of 78-1.
“We’re still at the point where kids are trying new events and learning how to compete,” Myers said. “I’m happy with the experience they are getting. I’m happy with the direction the program is heading.”
The Mustangs are in action at 9am Saturday at the Wildcatz Relays.
