If the Top 8 classic lives up to its billing as a preview to the Central Coast Section Finals, expect Ryan Corvese to run with the area’s best next month.
The Sobrato distance star rose to the level of his competition once again Friday night at San Jose City College and pushed himself to a 10th-place finish at 3,200 meters in a personal-best 9:38.77, a time with which he would have advanced at CCS Semifinals a year ago.
Entering the Top 8, Corvese’s previous best of 9:41.99, set at the March 10 K-Bell Invitational, was the 10th-fastest time in the CCS this spring.
The junior was lockstep with the rest of an aggressive field. Winner Yohanness Estifanos (9:08.06) of Milpitas, fresh off a runner-up finish at 1,600 meters, improved by more than 19 seconds, while Willow Glen’s Michael McCabe dropped about 14 seconds to take silver. Third-place Richard Ho of Leland, expected to be Corvese’s biggest challenger at the Blossom Valley Athletic League Championships on May 10, also improved significantly, shaving more than 11 seconds off his previous best.
The CCS 3,200-meter semifinal will be split into two heats, with the top two finishers in both races advancing to the final along with the next eight fastest. Corvese will likely be in the running.
- The Top classic brought out impressive showings from several other locals.
Sophomore Jessica Reid, Sobrato’s female 200-meter record holder, clocked the 11th fastest time (26.47) in the event, while teammate Jackie Yago, a freshman, took 14th in the 100-meter hurdles in 18.80.
- In the frosh/soph meet, Live Oak’s Afari La-Anyane’s time of 9:36 in the 65-meter hurdles was good for second fastest and a new frosh/soph school record. He was also third in the 300 hurdles in 43.01.
James Gabbard took second at 800 meters in 2:01.19, also a LOHS frosh/soph record, and sixth in triple jump at 40 feet, 3 inches, while Kalum Bergstrom placed fourth in the 1,600 meters in 4:39.79, and cleared 5 feet, 6 inches to take eighth in high jump.
Sobrato’s A.J. King (23.95) placed second in his 200 heat and was listed 10th overall, also for Sobrato.
Live Oak’s 4×400 of Kyle Robertson, Daniel Gonzalez, Gabbard and Bergstrom set a LOHS frosh/soph record as well while taking third in 3:38.15.
Softball
Live Oak has won four of its last five Mount Hamilton Division games, the latest being a 2-0 victory at Mount Pleasant on Friday.
Katie Obbema struck out eight in a two-hit shutout for her ninth decision this spring and received tremendous help from Sara Day, who had three hits and scored twice.
The Acorns (11-6, 5-3) followed that with a 3-2 win over Notre Dame-San Jose on Saturday.
- Wednesday’s Santa Teresa Division game between Sobrato and Oak Grove was moved to 4 p.m. Monday at SHS.
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The Sobrato boys are 6-0 in dual meets and have clinched at least a share of their second Santa Teresa Division in three years.
Boys tennis
Live Oak ended its season by winning five of its final six matches, capped by Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over Branham.
Bryan Freitas, Tanner Hallinan, Blake Latos won impressively in two sets for the Acorns, as did Ian Karin and Ben Hopwood, and Geoff Ivie and Justin Schumate in doubles. Milan Le Ruyet, Live Oak’s wins leader, lost to a talented freshman in the No. 2 singles match to finish 9-4.
The Acorns (6-7, 5-7) will return to the Santa Teresa Division next year, complete with their entire lineup.
