With a third-place finish in discus, Gilroy’s Bobby Best can
pack his bags for the State Finals in Sacramento
Los Gatos – With a third-place finish at Friday’s CCS Track and Field Finals, Gilroy thrower Bobby Best punched his ticket to the state finals.
The junior nabbed the final qualifying spot in discus with a mark of 154-05 feet, exactly five feet short of the mark he hit in last week’s semifinals to qualify for the CCS championships at Los Gatos High School.
Best finished behind Pioneer’s Rolando Gomez (first place, 157-06) and Homestead’s Will Tsai (second place, 157-06).
“I’m glad to be third in the CCS, especially as a junior, and be able to come back at least for one more week,” Best said.
Unfortunately, Best’s furthest throw of the day didn’t count.
“He barely scratched by trying to go after the mark,” said GHS throwing coach Rich Macy. “This week, we’ll go back to his form which should improve his distance.”
It’s been a busy week for Best, who endured double practices this week. In addition to preparing for the CCS meet, Best also participated in spring football practices, where coaches from USC and Stanford came out to have a look at the TCAL first-team offensive lineman.
But that’s just typical Best.
“He always wants to work,” said Macy. “The great ones never want to slack off.”
In preparation for the state meet, the semifinals of which begin Friday at Sacramento City College, Best will be back working with Macy this week. Macy hasn’t been able to work with the junior for the past two weeks because the track and football coach had hip replacement surgery.
Regardless of where he finishes at the state meet, Best just hopes to have his best performance of the year.
“Next week, I hope to PR,” Best said. “I was about 10 feet off (today).”
Best’s top mark of the season is 164-09, currently second in the CCS behind Gomez.
“We’ll have three days of form work time to perfect it,” Macy said. “Then he’ll go to state and get his PR.”
