MORGAN HILL — In the coming weeks, Alan Rios will sit down and decide which college he would like to race for, perhaps Brown, or UCLA or Harvard.
Signing Day is one of many highlights the middle-distance star with a 4.22 grade point average has planned for his final track and field season with Sobrato High School. In the 800 meters, Rios has a chance to sweep division, league and section titles and place high in the state championship meet in June. His personal-record time of one minute, 55.74 seconds, set during last year’s Central Coast Section Finals, was the second fastest among underclassmen in the section behind rival Nathan Strum of Pioneer. It was also less than four seconds off the winning time at state.
“My confidence is way up; I’m not going to lie. I’m definitely confident in my ability, and I’ve set my goals high for this season,” Rios said Monday. “I want to win CCS and be a finalist at state. I feel like I’m in my best shape now. I’m more mature and more prepared than ever. I’m ready to see what I can do.”
Rios has practiced vigorously since the end of cross country season, which he capped with a 21st-place finish in the Division II-section championship meet. To stay in peak shape and keep his speed up, he will run the 400 meters in as many meets as he can this spring. But the 800 is his baby.
“That’s always been Alan’s deal, and he’s right up there this year,” said Rios’ father, Fred, who is beginning his first year as head coach at SHS. “He’s looking good for preseason. His form is pretty much right on or ahead of where he needs to be.”
That will bode well for Sobrato’s relays. Rios anchors both as part of a foursome with senior Adam Guerra (also in the 400), sophomore Obi Mbonu — and another Bulldog with big aspirations. Could this be a special final season for Ralph Jackson? The senior has been building up for one in the 100 and 200 meters. He and Rios were part of a mile relay that placed fifth at CCS finals a year ago.
“Ralph is clearly a top athlete,” Fred Rios said. “He’s looking to do as well as he can. We’ve all got an eye on him.”
In three years of cross country and track at SHS, Winston Van Keulen and Derek Deisenroth have honed their skills training with the likes of Rios and Lance Wolfsmith, who last year signed with the Air Force Academy. Now, the two juniors head the Bulldogs’ long-distance corps. Van Keulen placed 37th in the Division II cross country meet this fall and could be a dark horse to qualify for CCS Finals in the mile and two-mile.
“I’ve known Derek and Winston since they were freshman, and they’ve always been hard workers,” Alan Rios said. “They put the time in, but they haven’t had that race yet … the one that really boosts your confidence. They want it, though. They have the drive.”
Triple jumper Calvin Billings is Sobrato’s frontman on the apron. The Bulldogs have a solid shot and discus thrower in senior Joel Rueda — an all-league lineman — and two pole vaulters — Austin Meldrum, Brandon Mancini — who could make the wide-open cut for CCS Semifinals.
The Lady Bulldogs comprise a smaller contingent than the SHS boys but could challenge for the Santa Teresa Division team championship.
Several of their athletes are two-sport standouts, including short-track star Marissa Benjamin. The junior was first-team all-league in soccer this winter and will try to make CCS again in the 100, 200 and 400, which she will run next to teammate Cassandra Valenzuela.
“They’re both great sprinters,” Fred Rios said. “They’re going to score a lot of points for us in duals and have a chance to go far individually.”
In 2009, Benjamin and Valenzuela raced in a CCS-bound 4×100 relay that now welcomes Rebekah Inouye and freshman Kate Van Keulen.
Fred Rios described Sarah Gilbert and Courtney Ellenburg as a “nice one-two punch” in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Gilbert ran a 5:31 mile three weeks ago, and Ellenburg followed in just under 6:20.
Both sophomores are coming off an impressive cross country season. Gilbert placed 18th in the Division II final and Ellenburg took 33rd.
“They seem to have found the next plateau,” Fred Rios said. “I’d say they’re in midseason form. Anytime you scratch under six minutes in the mile, you’re at a high level.”
Sobrato will be four deep in distance events with the Sandberg sisters, Rachel and Ashley.
So far, pole vaulter Jennifer Hinman is the Lady Bulldogs lone clear-cut field athlete, but both SHS teams will discover more as division dual meets continue.
Saturday’s St. Francis Invitational is the Bulldogs’ next big meet.
