GHS track and field team sends handful of athletes on to CCS
semifinals
n By Ana Patejdl Sports Editor
Gilroy – The distance runners continue to shine.
When the dust cleared at the Tri-County Athletic League track and field championships Saturday at Live Oak High, senior Arnulfo Velasquez and freshman Kathleen Miller were among the top Gilroy performers who will be headed into this Friday’s Central Coast Section semifinals.
Velasquez won the 3200-meter run with a 10:21.22 finish, ahead of San Benito’s Thomas Parcell (10:25.98) and Rigo Vasquez (10:29.09). The senior also took third in his other event, the 1600-meter run, finishing in 4:33.77 behind Vasquez and Sobrato’s Lance Wolfsmith. Velasquez qualified for CCS in both events – the top three in each boys’ even and top two in each girls’ event automatically qualify – but will drop the 1600 to focus on the 3200-meter race, said Gilroy head coach Jeff Myers.
Miller took fifth in the 3200-meter run with a 12:24.79. But it was her time of 5:28.48 in the 1600 that got the freshman the nod to CCS.
“It’s going to be a challenge, I think,” said Miller about what will be her first CCS track and field semifinals.
The Live Oak track is known for its windy conditions. But that didn’t stop Miller from setting a new personal record in the 1600. It also didn’t keep San Benito distance runner Amanda Boyd from setting meet records in the 800 (2:18.56), 1600 (5:12.59) and 3200 (11:40.51).
“You can really feel (the wind) when you’re running, but you adapt to it,” Miller said.
Thrower Bobby Best won the discus (141-02) and shot put (46-10.50), despite throwing well below his best in the discus. Gilroy throwing coach Rich Martinez noted that the tight space between the throwing ring and its surrounding fence might have been a contributing factor to Best’s off-day.
“He says the ring doesn’t bother him, but…,” smiled Martinez. “In the ring, he was jumping away from the fence. His footwork was really off.”
Miles Amodeo qualified for the 110-meter hurdles (2nd, 16.23) and the 300-meter hurdles (3rd, 42.01).
The surprise of the day was Chris Funk, who qualified for CCS with a second-place finish in triple jump (40-07.50) behind Palma’s Andrew Reyes (41-07.00).
“(Funk) hurt his foot Wednesday (at the TCAL trials), but he really came back and popped one off,” Myers said. Megan McAvoy also qualified for long jump.
The CCS semifinals are this Saturday at San Jose City College.
