Mustangs’ loss to Hollister ends regular season but eam has shot
at CCS
GILROY – Senior Steven Bennett ran side-by-side with sophomore teammate Arnulfo Velasquez when the two entered the track at Gilroy High for the stretch run of Monday’s boys cross country meet against Hollister.
The top three finishers were all Haybalers – already sealing the dual meet victory for one of the league’s top teams. But Bennett had another goal in mind – beating Velasquez for the first time this season.
Bennett has improved steadily meet by meet, while Velasquez has been the first Mustang to cross the finish line in every competition this season. The upperclassmen’s goal of challenging his teammate was never so close.
“We were trying to go for the Hollister kid in front of us. After we passed him, I wanted to beat Nufo,” said Bennett, who was edged at the finish line by Velasquez although both finished with the same team-low time of 18:21.
Bennett’s chances are running out with the Tri-County Athletic League Finals on Nov. 21 at Toro Park up next and a Central Coast Section berth not guaranteed unless the Mustangs finish in the top three as a team.
“I feel at T-CALs, I definitely have a good chance to beat Nufo,” said Bennett, who has helped the Mustangs to two dual meet wins this season after at least three seasons of disparity. “That’s been my goal this whole season. I almost had him today.”
Velasquez did not run his fastest time – having tired legs from playing soccer over the weekend with his club team. He had just enough to beat Bennett – but was behind top Haybalers’ Juan Rivera (17:35), Alfred Lopez (17:48), Jeff Spencer (17:55) and Kyle Fowles (18:16). Hollister won convincingly, 17-43.
“I hadn’t done anything since yesterday morning. I did feel weaker,” said Velasquez, who welcomes having a teammate run with him instead of working alone. “Everyone is keeping it up, getting stronger.”
The Mustangs (2-3 in league) are stronger this year and a CCS spot is well within their grasp. Finishing out Gilroy’s line-up against Hollister was freshman Jose Velasquez in 19:06, Nate Barmore in 19:31, Allan Chan in 19:46, Darrin Amerson in 20:10 and Jocob Trujillo in 20:35.
“I was happy with what Steven ran. I’m not surprised by the result (of losing the meet). Hollister is one of the best teams in the league. They have been for years,” Scott said. “The fact that we won two meets is a great improvement for the team and we’ve got an opportunity to go to CCS so you can’t complain. We were 0-6 last season to having a legitamate shot at CCS.”
Gilroy can qualify for a team if it finished in third place or higher at T-CALs with Salinas and Hollister assured the top two slot that are automatic bids into the CCS meet at Crystal Springs. If Gilroy does not qualify as a team, the top three Mustangs are in the running to qualify as individuals for CCS.
“We have a good shot. We have to beat Live Oak. It’s not going to be easy. They are well-coached. They are a good team,” said Scott, whose squad beat Live Oak in the regular season. “We have to beat the teams we beat during the regular season.”
That also includes Palma – which the Mustangs only beat by one point at Toro Park, the same course for the T-CAL Finals.
“We put ourselves in a position to have an opportunity to go. That’s all you can ask of the guys,” Scott said. “Hollister and Salinas are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams.”
