Every runner can have an off day, but Gilroy High’s girls cross
country team isn’t concerned.
With six top-notch runners competing at Saturday’s Central Coast
Section championship meet at Toro Park in Salinas, and only the top
five times counting towards Gilroy’s team score, depth should give
Gilroy a chance to send its first squad in school history to the
state meet, if not compete for its first section title.
Every runner can have an off day, but Gilroy High’s girls cross country team isn’t concerned.
With six top-notch runners competing at Saturday’s Central Coast Section championship meet at Toro Park in Salinas, and only the top five times counting towards Gilroy’s team score, depth should give Gilroy a chance to send its first squad in school history to the state meet, if not compete for its first section title.
“We’re strong enough right now, we’re at least second (best in the section for Division I),” said GHS cross country coach Art Silva. “Last year we had five really strong girls, this year we have six really strong girls. If someone has an off day, someone (else) can step up and take her place.”
That almost wasn’t the case. The Mustangs best runner, Kathleen Miller, was hit by a car while crossing the street last week. She took a few days off and resumed her training, giving last year’s second-place finisher individually a chance to improve upon her past results while helping her team.
Along with Miller, Christine Bobula, Brandie Rodriguez, Anne Donahoe and Paty Hernandez, Gilroy has been bolstered by the addition of freshmen Savanah Silacci and Athena Alarcon.
“I’m so glad we have them,” Miller said. “They’re doing really good this year.”
Both freshmen said being a part of CCS in their first year of running in high school was an “exciting experience.”
Another runner who is excited to be competing is sophomore Tim Williams, the lone male representative from GHS.
Beating out an opponent from North Salinas by a hair, Williams is viewing the weekend as a reward for sticking it out through an injury-plagued season.
“It’s good experience,” he said. “It’s also nice to get over my previous injuries.”
While Carlmont is the heavy favorite to win the girls’ Division I race, there is something that could play into Gilroy’s favor. Toro Park is a quarter-mile longer than Crystal Springs, Carlmont’s home trail.
Even if Gilroy doesn’t win as a team, though, a second-place finish would give the Mustangs the trip they’ve long been waiting for: State.
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Check online Saturday to see how Gilroy High’s cross country runners performed at the CCS meet.
