When Monica Ruelas finished Wednesday’s Monterey Bay League Center Meet No. 1 race at Toro Park, there was no one else in sight. The Mustang runner finished more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher to take the top prize. Ruelas finished the race in 20:51.
Gilroy’s Eric Heiser finished 10th in the boys race, giving him the highest place finish of all male Gilroy-area runners. Heiser finished in 18:14.85.
Christopher’s Natalie Fillippi was the next fastest female runner, coming in 12th place in a time of 23:00.05. Gilroy’s Karla Lozano and Marissa Galvan took 15th and 16th place, respectively, and teammate Aida Olmos finished 20th.
Back on the boy’s side, runners from the Garlic Capital claimed spots 13 through 18. Mustang runners Braulio Campos, Jesus Sanchez, Richard Guevara and Ruben Perez finished 13, 14, 15 and 16, respectively. Christopher’s Alejandro Diaz took 17th in a time of 18:50.43, while Gilroy’s Michael Kropff finished in 18th place in 18:54.52.
Both teams will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 for the MBL Center Meet No. 2 at Don Dahvee Park in Monterey.
VOLLEYBALL
Viray leads Cougars past Watsonville
Katelyn Viray was unstoppable on Tuesday night as she racked up 17 kills in Christopher 3-0 sweep at Watsonville. The junior’s scores helped the Cougars win 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 over the Wildcatz in the league opener.
Christopher’s service game was also on point as the team tallied eight aces in the game. Marielle Gomez and Samantha Dolan had three apiece, while Grace Gundy added two.
Christa Arroyo aided the effort with 35 assists and 11 digs. Gomez had a team-high 29 digs in the match, while Dolan had 11.
The Cougars (11-4 overall, 1-0 in league) will host Salinas at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
North Salinas bests Mustangs
Gilroy took North Salinas to four sets Tuesday, but ultimately fell shy of the victory in the league play opener. The Mustangs lost 16-25, 25-27, 29-27, 23-25 in a nailbitter on the road.
Sarah Weiby and Jenna Clonts led the offense as each notched eight kills. Alexis Conlon served up five aces, including a three-ace run in the second set.
Gilroy (1-1 overall, 0-1 in league) will host Alvarez at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
GIRLS WATER POLO
Toreadors edge Mustangs
Sophomore Erika Cates had a breakout game against Monterey Tuesday, but Gilroy fell short of its first league ‘W.’ The Mustangs lost 11-10 in a back-and-forth match at Gilroy High.
Cates notched six goals, six steals and four assists in the match. Senior Ariane Lussier scored three goals and tallied four assists against Monterey.
Gilroy (0-5) will next play at 4 p.m. Sept. 29 at Stevenson.
GIRLS GOLF
Mustangs hang tough with ND
Gilroy entered Tuesday’s match with Notre Dame already at a disadvantage, filling only three of the five roster spots. But the Mustangs toughed it out and gave the Spirits a run for their money before falling 332-291 at Gavilan Golf Course.
Nicole Dan was the leading scorer for Gilroy with a 52. Captian Alessandra Esposito was right on her heels with a 54. Judith Diaz rounded out scoring with a 64. The two vacant spots were automatically given scores of 81.
Notre Dame’s Athena Enosara was the match medalist with a 45.
Gilroy (0-5) will host Alvarez at 3 p.m. today.
Find out when and where your favorite teams are playing this week:
CHRISTOPHER
9.24—Girls golf at Watsonville, 3:30 p.m.; Girls tennis vs. Alisal, 4 p.m.; Boys water polo vs. Harbor, 4 p.m.; Girls water polo at Salinas, at Hartnell College, 4 p.m.; Volleyball vs. Salinas, 6:30 p.m.
9.25—Girls water polo vs. Santa Teresa, 4 p.m.; Football vs. Hillsdale, 7:30 p.m.
GILROY
9.24—Girls golf vs. Alvarez, 3 p.m.; Girls tennis at Watsonville, 4 p.m.; Field hockey at St. Francis, 6:30 p.m.; Volleyball vs. Alvarez, 6:30 p.m.
9.25—Football at Piedmont Hills, 7 p.m.
