Keeping with tradition, the senior members of the track and field program at Sobrato High School took a victory lap together following their final home meet of the season Thursday.
There was much to celebrate this time around; a first undefeated finish (7-0) in the Santa Teresa Division for the Sobrato boys, a 4-3 mark for a seniorless SHS girls team of 15, and a shimmering sign of what direction the program is heading.
There were six athletes on the track.
“That kind of tells you where we’re at,” first-year SHS head coach Albert King said giddily. “This is an exciting time for this group.”
With two of their heavy hitters in distance runners Ryan Corvese and Cody Hulme out of action – both were resting up for the postseason – the SHS boys still had more than enough firepower to beat the 76ers 85-49.
Sophomore Matt Naranjo won at 1,600 and 3,200 meters; A.J. King and Tommy Yath took part in winning the 4×100- and 4×400-meter relays to go with respective wins in the 200 and 400 meters; and Miguel Redmond raced in the 4×100 and matched a personal record (12 feet, 6 inches) while taking first in pole vault. Zach Ankiel and Drew Glines triumphed at 800 and 100 meters and ran in the relays as well for the Bulldogs, who have captured their second Santa Teresa Division dual-meet crown in three years.
“With the group of boys we have, taking the title, I’d say we did so because everybody did a great job with making sure they did more than a couple events,” assistant head coach Fred Rios said. “They tried to score the maximum number of points in every meet.”
Unlike two years ago, when the SHS boys tied Willow Glen for the top spot in dual meets, the Bulldogs are healthy entering the championship portion of the season. That begins Tuesday with the Santa Teresa Division trials at Branham High School. The championship heats are scheduled for Thursday at BHS.
With a wide range of talent, the Bulldogs are set up well for both the division finals and the May 10 Blossom Valley Athletic League Championships at Mount Pleasant High School.
“We should get some PRs (this) week, which is important,” Rios said. “To do really well at BVALs, you have to have probably three superstars … that can cover a couple of events each, and we’re not quite there yet. I would suspect next year the boys and girls are going to be that group. We’re going to have some up-and-coming superstars.”
Corvese, Yath and Redmond have been the Sobrato boys’ top scorers this spring, but the Bulldogs have also received plenty of points from William Puna, the school-record holder in discus (137-10). Those four, plus Glines, Hulme and King, are underclassmen.
Coach King and Rios are just as excited for the Sobrato girls’ future. The Lady Bulldogs’ depth on the track is evident in their relays, which are led by super sophomore Jessica Reid, the school’s female-record holder in the 200. (Reid is closing in on the 400 record as well.) Their 4×100 of Kate van Keulen, Shawna Lai, Cybil Pace and Reid has clocked the third fastest time (51.89) among BVAL schools this year, and their 4×400 of Jackie Yago, Andie Koldewyn, van Keulen and Reid is listed fourth with a season-best 4:16.80.
In the field, the Sobrato girls have been led by junior high jumper Rebekah Inouye and discus thrower Maritza Anaya.
“Those 15 girls are a strong core,” Rios said. “That’s a great group to work with for next year.”
According to King, the Sobrato program will “have no choice” but to move up to the elite Mount Hamilton Division next year, a crowning achievement that, for the Bulldogs, has put an emphasis on recruiting.
“Having that excitement of a team coming off winning a title, and having an up-and-coming team, in this case the girls, should help our numbers for next year,” Rios said.
“Next year, when we add some depth to the girls team, they’re going to be strong everywhere,” King added.
More athletes will likely lead to more success for the Sobrato program – and crowded victory laps.
“The competition is going to be strong next year, and we’ll work harder and harder every week,” King said. “To be the best, you have to train the best, and, next year, it’s going to be all about better numbers. We have a very small group out here, so this season was a tribute to them and their work ethic.”
