Jazmine Rubio

Starting the season strong in the 4×400 relay at the Salinas City invitational, freshman Yaretzi Cornelio anchored and helped the team finish 1st, with a time of 4:43.58. The team ran a season best 4:26.19 in the home meet versus Alvarez on March 19th, beating them by 20 seconds. According to Coach Munoz, Cornelio has made the top 20 in school history in the 800, 1600, and 3200 as a freshman.

Last season, the Girls Track team finished 3-2 in the league. Only three girls went to CCS last year- Luz Martinez-Mejia, Erika Castro, and Nayeli Gil-Silva. 

The coaches weren’t too sure what to expect for this upcoming 2023-2024 season. Based on the past seasons only about 40-60%  of girls come back out after first joining the team. “This year we have a record number of girls on the team and for the first time in school history, we have more girls than boys on the team,” Head Coach Ignacio Mendez said. “ This year, if things go right, our girls’ team could win their first-ever league title.”

In spite of the fact that they lost an MVP last year nearly all the team’s core players are back and competing – seniors Valerie Tena and Crystal Ruiz; juniors Luz Mejia-Martinez, Audreyna Ruiz, Deserie Odad, Joceline Carrasco-Tafolla, and Brithany Lara; sophomores Genesis Lopez, Nayeli Gil-Silva, and Erika Castro. Promising newcomers who have definitely caught the coach’s eye are freshmen, Alexa Martinez and Yaretzi Cornelio. 

According to coach Mendez, some of the girls’ strengths are sprints and hurdles. Their weaknesses are in the high jump and pole vault. “In order to win the league title, our girls’ team will need to stay healthy and continue to get better,” Mendez said. “ This year is looking like our girls’ team could rewrite a lot of the school records and put together one of the best girls teams in school history.”

The team has had six meets so far – Two invitationals; the 2nd annual Allen Dunn Haybaler Invite and Dublin Distance Fiesta; Preseason: NSHS @ Alisal, Salinas City Schools Invitational; EAHS @ Alisal, and @North County.

The team went 1-0 in preseason against North High 98-32, and defeated Alvarez 79-48 Erika Castro won the 200 and 400, Luz Mejia-Martinez finished 2 in the 200 and 400. Yaretzi Cornelio won the 800, 1600, and anchored the winning 4×400. Genesis Lopez won the 100 and 300 Hurdles. Deserie Odad won the Long Jump and Crystal Ruiz finished 2nd.

In the away meet against North Monterey County, the team lost 78-49.