After coming so close to winning league championships last season for what would have been the first time in school history, the girls’ track and field team ended in second place; only seven points away from North Monterey County who won the title.
Despite this finish, the girls still moved up in league as the boys track team won their third straight Mission Division title by a total of fifty points. This win moved the entire team up to the Gabilan Division due to track and field being a coed sport.
Last year’s graduating senior Valerie Tena (a big factor for the girls team in the sprints) was a big influence on the entire team being able to score 153 points in PCAL Mission Division Championships, and therefore move up a league.
Moving up a league doesn’t come without its challenges. “It’s definitely gonna be a challenge to get even one (league championship) for the girls,” Co-Coach Steven Munoz, said. However, looking on the bright side, moving up a league will allow for individuals to challenge themselves. The competition that comes from moving up a league, will inevitably allow them to further improve in their respective events.
Some promising players for this year’s team include Luz Mejia and Erika Castro (both in the sprints), Yaretzi Cornelio (in the distance), Brithany Lara (in the throws), and Desierie Mae (in the jumps).
As for their own personal goals, “I would like to hit a personal record and make it to CCS this season,” said junior Marley Lara. Senior Deserie Odad says that she would like to “finish strong and pr since it’s my last year, and hopefully make it on to the school record board.” Along with that, Brithany Lara hopes to “get ranked higher in her school history record and to hit more personal records for my respective events.” Senior Luz Mejia said, “I would like to enjoy my last year doing track.” Junior Erika Castro said, “I would like to break my personal record for the 400m,” and sophomore Yaretzi Cornelio said, “My goals for the season are to make it to CCS finals and have an overall good season.”
Prior to the league, the team had a total of 8 invitationals/scrimmages where “the girls have been performing well going into the meet against Carmel,” Munoz said .
As for this season’s goals, “I want to see our entire team compete at their best; be the best that they can be. If that means they go on to state, great. If they don’t make it that far, as long as they are able to perform at their best they could,” Coach Muñoz said.
At their first official meet against Carmel, the girls track team scored a total of 110 points compared to Carmel’s 21. Incomparable due to the size difference in both teams.
Unfortunately, at their second official meet, Alisal lost to Hollister by 14 points.
After that, the girls track team participated in two invitationals. The Stanford Invitational (no official team scores) and the O’Condon Invitational where they got second place. “Our 4×400 girls ran well at the Stanford invitational. It was a new experience for them to compete at that level, but they were able to run well,” Muñoz said.
Despite losing again against North Monterey County by 14 points, senior Luz Mejia PR’s in the 100m with a time of 13.32. “Overall, moving up a league has proved to be challenging, but I’m still proud of myself for having a personal record,” Mejia said.
