San Benito Hollister article - 2003


The sleeper teams this year are the Hollister (San Benito) girls and boys.
They're both banged up right now with hamstrings, etc. But, the Easter break
should help a little.
The Baler girls will easily win the league, which isn't really very strong.
When it comes to CCS, they have three girls who can win events or take a
second � Naomi Ruiz-Discus (school record holder at 133-0), Sarah
Groman-High Jump, and Stephanie Starritt-PV (school record holder). Groman
jumped 5-4 the last two years, but hasn't touched it this year, though she's
doing 5-2 regularly now. Starritt has a PR of 10-6, not 10-2 as listed. She
went 10-6 today vs. Notre Dame and is just missing at 11-0.
Sophomore Jamie O'brian has PR's in the 100 at 12.9 and in the 200 at 26.5.
She might run the 400 because she runs splits in the 4X400 at about 60.9.
She'll run the 100 and 400 at Carmel this Saturday. She's a threat and a
competitor. They have a talented freshman in Amanda Boyd, who is hurt at the
moment. She'll be heard in from in the future in the 400, according to her
coach.
Groman can long jump 17-0 on most days and isn't bad in the TJ at about
35-0. Junior Kory Case has the ability to score in the 300 hurdles.
This team is young, though, with a great deal of talented sophomores. If all
athletes perform to their potential at CCS, I think they can take up to
second place, at least get in the top four.

Bellarmine usually wins the boys at CCS and this year doesn't look any
different, but the Baler boys can get in the top four. Steven Bianchi,
second in the triple jump at CCS last year at 45-8, is an outstanding
athlete. He's gone 6-2 in the high jump, as has Danny Brooks. Brooks PR'd at
6-4 last year.
Clay Peer is hefting the shot at a PR of 47 1/4.
And Jonathan Rivera tripled in the 800, mile and two-mile vs. Palma
Thursday. His PR of 2:00 is in your top 8. He hasn't been pushed much in
this league in the mile, which he won last year as a sophomore.
Unfortunately their best sprinter, Lee Osborne, has had health problems. He
pulled a hammy today vs. Palma. They have a 300-hurdler who is not too bad
in Justin Tungate, though he has had back problems. The 4X400 relay is good
enough to place in the top five of CCS.
I'm sure they'll be put on the spotlight at the Top 8 meet. That's a good
measuring stick.

John Reid
sports editor
Free Lance
Hollister