Haybalers overwhelm Bulldogs at TCAL meet in Hollister
Hollister – If the Sobrato track and field team had its sights set on winning and winning alone when facing San Benito on Thursday, the Bulldogs would have been disappointed. The powerhouse Haybalers handed Sobrato convincing losses in the boys and girls competitions, but the visiting Bulldogs enjoyed some individual successes and, more importantly, kept their eyes on the bigger picture.
As has been the theme all year long, Sobrato knows the experience its athletes gain now will only help as next year brings the school’s first class of seniors.
Matched up against a San Benito program undefeated in Tri-County Athletic League meets, the Sobrato boys varsity team lost 110-21 and the girls varsity fell 125-16. But optimism reigned – especially when some of the Bulldogs emerged victorious.
“It’s a good experience,” said Sobrato junior Eric Woodruff of the Bulldogs testing themselves against San Benito. “It just makes us 10 times better. To see juniors and sophomores in a race here against seniors … I like it.”
Teammate Katie Alton agreed.
“It just builds our confidence for future meets,” said the Bulldogs sprinter. “I think it means without seniors, we can do a really good job – and we’re showing it.”
Alton backed up her words on the track. After finishing second in the 100-meter dash, falling just short of San Benito’s Carly Brigantino, Alton turned the tables on her ‘Baler opponent by winning the 200-meter.
“I felt a little nervous when I saw her running the 200,” said Alton. “But I won, so that’s all gone.”
Sobrato’s Alex Cervantes continued her solid start to the season by winning the 110-meter hurdles in 18.06 seconds. And Woodruff finished a strong second in the 400-meter race, losing down the stretch to ‘Balers freshman Ryan Shorey.
Forced to load its top underclassmen onto the young varsity team, Sobrato couldn’t field the depth needed to compete with San Benito in the lower divisions. The Bulldogs girls lost the frosh-soph competition 83-52, while the boys fell 119-16.
The entire Sobrato team had been anticipating a duel between its star, Lance Wolfsmith, and San Benito senior Rigo Vasquez. But Vasquez didn’t take the track for either the 1600 or 3200-meter races, instead choosing to save his energy for the weekend’s West Valley Relays.
While disappointed that he didn’t get to test himself against of the TCAL’s top distance runners, Wolfsmith nonetheless competed as he would if Vasquez had pushed him to the limit.
The Bulldogs freshman ran away from the field in the 1600-meter, taking first in 4:45, but it was Wolfsmith’s showing in the 3200 that was the most remarkable. Quickly establishing a large lead, Wolfsmith knew he was running an uncontested race, but he still posted a personal record of 10:14.
“I was planning on setting PRs for myself,” said Wolfsmith. “[Racing alone] just gets me stronger. I can push myself. I don’t need anybody beside me.”
Wolfsmith’s thirst for competition continued yesterday as he joined the Sobrato swimming team for its meet against San Benito. And then, after one meager day of rest, the freshman was set to compete in the USAT Junior Elite Triathalon in Oxnard.
Asked if he could possibly be ready for the rigorous triathalon on the heels of back-to-back competitions, Wolfsmith smiled.
“Oh yeah. I recover pretty fast,” said Wolfsmith. “I have a rest on Saturday. I’ll just do a light workout.”
Scott Campbell is the sports editor for the Hollister Free Lance. He can be reached at
sc*******@fr***********.com
