Without its two top runners for Monday’s rivalry meet against
Live Oak, the Gilroy High boys cross country team suffered a
lopsided 16-43 home loss.
GILROY – Without its two top runners for Monday’s rivalry meet against Live Oak, the Gilroy High boys cross country team suffered a lopsided 16-43 home loss.
According to head coach Wayne Scott, freshmen Arnufo Velasquez and Allan Chang missed the bus for last Monday’s meet at Toro Park against Notre Dame-Salinas and Palma – which is a violation of team rules. Therefore, the tandem was suspended for one meet – the last league meet of the season against Live Oak.
“The two freshmen who were suspended missed the bus last week. I figure I have to reel them in as freshmen before the cope an attitude,” Coach Scott said. “It shows the other guys that nobody’s special. Nobody’s above the basic team rules. One of the rules is make the bus.”
Velasquez is also in competition for one of the individual qualifying spots for the sectional championships. Scott said the freshman has “a legitimate shot” of qualifying with a strong effort at the Nov. 2 TCAL championships at Toro Park in Salinas.
“He’s got a shot to qualify as an individual. It depends on how bad he wants it,” said Coach Scott of Velasquez. “Arnufo probably could have finished three or four in this race.”
Instead, Gilroy’s top finisher was the steady Nate Barmore – who took fifth place with a time of 18:03.
“He’s been working real hard. He’s a good kid to have on your team,” said Coach Scott of Barmore. “He basically shuts up and runs. And that’s all I can ask.”
Rounding out the the Mustangs’ varsity line-up were: Jonathan Moore (18:48) in eighth; Steven Bennett (19:12) in ninth; Randy Higashi (19:36) in 10th; and Jacob Trujillo (20:28). Live Oak’s Jason Alcaraz won the heat in 17:19.
