One program is still struggling to find its identity as league
approaches. The other is a clear favorite to win the league title,
again.. But both the Live Oak High track and field and swimming
programs have one thing in common
– plenty of talented athletes. Both programs are poised to send
another bumper crop of athletes to the Central Coast Section
postseason meets in their respective sports this season.
One program is still struggling to find its identity as league approaches. The other is a clear favorite to win the league title, again..
But both the Live Oak High track and field and swimming programs have one thing in common – plenty of talented athletes.
Both programs are poised to send another bumper crop of athletes to the Central Coast Section postseason meets in their respective sports this season.
Heading into Thursday’s league opener at Hollister-San Benito, LO track coach Dean Raymond said his boys and girls teams will likely finish in the middle of the pack in the TCAL standings, as usual, but will feature some outstanding individual athletes who will make waves in postseason competition.
A talented crew of distance runners are expected to lead the pack for both the Acorn girls and boys squads.
Junior Cobbie Jones, who made the state finals in the 800 last season, and classmate Lisa Herrera, who qualified for CCS in the 3,200 a year ago are joined by seniors Billy Wong, Jon Kamei, Jesus Atanacio and Orlando Lucero, who led the LO boys cross-country team to its finest finish in years last fall.
“(Cobbie’s) chomping at the bit,” Raymond said.
Other standouts include senior hurdler Brandon Powell, who surprised everyone by winning a league 110 high hurdles title and advancing to the CCS finale in the event last season, and junior sprinter Dustin Muhn, along with senior sprinter Mattie Smith, who returns from a year off, and sophomore jumper/sprinter Dandrell Thomas, a transfer.
Also, senior throwers Azucena Atanacio and Tanya Tenorio are set to make another run into the CCS finals, where they both got their first taste of postseason competition last season.
Raymond said his program has about 85 athletes out for track and field this year, up from about 65 in 2004. He said the turnout reflects a large corp of athletes from other sports, including football, soccer and field hockey. But he added that while their are 40 juniors on the roster this season, there are only 10 freshmen, reflecting the effects of Sobrato’s drain on available athletes.
Meanwhile, Mack Haines’ LO swimming program is stocked again on both the boys and girls sides, and both are expected to win league titles and perhaps even challenge for a Top 10 finish at CCS.
LO starts its TCAL dual meet season by hosting Palma and Notre Dame on April 8.
Despite losing All-American David Dunn to graduation, the Acorn boys have great talent and depth.
Senior Ryan Gautschi will lead the way in the sprints and breaststroke, and anchor the relays, while being expected to provide leadership in and out of the pool.
Senior Dennis Lowe, juniors Justin Short and Shea Coleman, sophomores Kyle Fast and Cameron Peachey, and freshmen upstarts Mike Wu and Sam Cretcher will all make an impact, Haines said.
“You don’t replace David Dunn,” Haines said. “But we have a real solid group of swimmers.”
Seniors Lee Bell and Stephen Shope lead the LO boys dive squad.
Juniors Ronni Gautschi, Laura Melroy and Amy Marshall, along with sophomores Laura Shope and Melissa Poon lead the Acorn girls. Haines said each of those standout swimmers can compete, and win, virtually any event.
“They’re all extremely versatile swimmers,” he said.
Senior Breanna Sennert will anchor the girls dive team.
