Wolfsmith sets goal of winning state in two-mile
GILROY — “That fool just ran the mile in four, 19!”
The gallery closed around Lance Wolfsmith as soon as he crossed the finish line Saturday.
It was the 39th running of the Avis Kelley Invitational, and Wolfsmith’s official time of four minutes, 19.23 seconds in the 1,600-meter run was less than three seconds off the fastest time in meet history. The Sobrato senior had one thing to say as he strode to the infield.
“It’s going to be a good season.”
It was a gorgeous day at the time. And even though clouds crept above Gilroy’s Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in the afternoon, giving way to frigid rain, the forecast for Sobrato’s track and field season didn’t change.
“I’m excited about the returning talent on the boys team. I’m excited about the depth on the girls,” coach Dave Wolfsmith, father of Lance, said. “I think our girls are going to be one of the top teams in our league. We’ve got a good balance … The boys are really going to be special.”
The early-season spotlight is once again on Lance, who’s vying to win a state title in the 3,200 meters. He clocked the fifth-fastest time (9:14.54) among underclassmen at the 2008 CIF State championships — and is already posting mile times he had at the end of last year.
Not even at 100 percent, Lance’s season is just beginning.
“Staying healthy is my biggest obstacle. I’ve had some rough seasons through high school,” said Lance, who tore cartilage in his knee during cross country season. “I’m just trying to play is safe and be strong all year. I know my times look good, but I don’t feel like my best.
“I’m definitely going for state. It’s a big goal, but I’m not going to cut my goals short senior year.”
Making his 2009 debut in the 3,200 Saturday, Lance finished first in 9:33.04, capping a 5-0 career mark in the mile and two-mile at the Avis Kelley Invite.
For extra speed work, Lance ran the 800 meters and finished 13th — seven places behind a teammate who has similar potential this year.
“I can see myself going to state — that definitely has to be the goal,” Sobrato’s Alan Rios, who took seventh (2:02.07) in the rain-soaked 800, said. “From here, I just have to work on better strategy and get healthier.”
Rios severely sprained his ankle in cross country season, but is about “90 percent,” he said. Rios reached the CIF-Central Coast Section Semifinals last year in the 800 — and could return in more than one event. The junior is part of a 4×400-meter relay that features speedsters Ralph Jackson, Alex Meldrum and Tim Cavanaugh, who also are standouts on the football team. Only Cavanaugh is new to the relay.
“We ran like a 3:32 last Saturday … and that was our best time last year. So we’re picking up right where we left off,” said Jackson, a junior. “I think we can make (CCS) finals.”
The foursome did not run Saturday because Jackson had tightness in a hamstring. That allowed Meldrum to focus on his specialty, the 300-meter hurdles. The senior clocked a third-place time of 41.22 in the finals.
“Alex Meldrum is looking stronger than I’ve ever seen him,” Rios said.
The Bulldogs are stacked with veteran talent, but also have some rising stars. Winston Van Keulen finished second (4:46.96) in the frosh/soph 1,600 Saturday, and Alex’s brother, Austin Meldrum — also a sophomore — launched 11 feet, six inches in the pole vault; good for second place in the frosh/soph division.
“We might have a few surprises in store this year,” Dave said.
The Lady Bulldogs’ biggest strength is their aforementioned depth. The team has a few big names back from last year, including senior Ariel Mosbrucker, who last year qualified for CCS in all three jumping events. At the Avis Kelley Invite, Mosbrucker placed fourth in the triple (32-07) and high jump (4-10) and sixth in the long jump (14-7).
“I don’t feel as strong as I did last year yet because it’s early in the season,” she said. “I’ve been working on the same stuff this year: running and jumping. It’s all about running fast and getting good leg drive. I expect to make it back to CCS in all three jumps.”
One of Sobrato’s biggest weapons on the track is Marissa Benjamin, a sophomore who at the Avis Kelley Invite placed fifth in the 200 meters (27.45) and anchored the 4×100 relay to 10th place (54.39). She ran with Cassandra Valenzuela, Vicky Perry and Dawn Watts.
“I see Marissa going to CCS this year,” Dave said.
The wily coach said the same of rookie senior Alex Seda, who ran cross country in fall. Seda placed 11th (13:16.87) in the two-mile Saturday.
“My goal is to PR every time,” she said. “I just want to be injury free, too. We have a lot of strong runners on the team.”
Those include cross country standouts Sarah Gilbert, Courtney Ellenberg and Ashley Sandberg.
