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Bruins Busy Making Marks In Track, Field
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In action on April 17, Bruin track and field team members competed against Hughson at Riverbank. Coming into the meet both boys’ teams were undefeated, but Riverbank had several injuries to key runners that hurt their chances against a very good Hughson team.

“With injuries to Luis Figueroa, Adrian Salazar, Tim Brown, and IB White, it was a major challenge to stay close with Hughson,” explained coach Monte Wood. “But our kids fought hard and even took an early lead. Jonathen Beliera upset Zach Morret in the 1600 and Marty Sveen took a second place in the 110 hurdles that really started the running events off well for us.”

The field event athletes came through big as well as Fabian Arana won the shot and the discus, Victor Jimenez won the pole vault, and Armando Vargas won the high jump. Freddie Capas was leading the long jump until the final jumps of the competition when Armando Vargas passed him and then a Hughson jumper won the event on his last jump of the day.

“We lost the meet by getting swept in the 100, 200, and 300 hurdles,” Wood noted. “The kids were competitive and there were lots of personal records set on the day, so I can’t be too disappointed. If we can get everyone healthy, we will have a chance of winning the league meet and share of the TVL title.”

On the girl’s side, the Lady Bruins just didn’t have enough depth. Hughson has over 50 girls on their team, and Riverbank only has 20.

“It could have been closer but Kim Ruvalcaba took a nasty fall in the 110 hurdles, but then turned around and gutted out a second place in the 1600,” said Wood. “Mikayla Florez won the 1600 and 3200, but we held her out of the 800 because she was scheduled to run the 800 at the Woody Wilson Invitational at UC Davis, and we didn’t want to wear her out before that meet.”

Haley Richardson won the pole vault and the triple jump. Her triple jump of 31 feet was a personal record and now leads the league. Karina Cajero won the discus with a throw of 99 feet.

“Sierra Nabors had a great day in the high jump. It was only her second meet high jumping and she cleared 4’8”. We really feel that she can break the school record if she continues to practice and gets better technique and more confidence,” Wood added. “Miranda Alcantar had a good day by setting personal records in the long jump and the 200. She has continued to improve, and I love her attitude. She wants to get better and works really hard.”

Back in action a few days later, Fabian Arana, Kim Ruvalcaba, Mikayla Florez, and Jonathen Beliera competed at the Woody Wilson Invitational at UC Davis. This meet is by invitation only and showcases many of the elite athletes from the Sac Joaquin section, North Coast Section, and North Section.

Fabian Arana finished third in the discus with a throw of 147’4” while Mikayla Florez finished fourth in the 800 with a personal record of 2:19 which is close to the school record.

“She might have been able to break the record, but she got boxed in on the first lap and lost some time fighting her way out of it,” said Wood.

Kim Ruvalcaba had a great day in the 3200. Her personal record going into the meet was 12:17, and she ran 11:49.

“That puts her at number five all time for the girls 3200 at Riverbank. She has only been running distance for less than a year,” noted Wood. “Jonathen Beliera struggled in the 3200 a little bit, but still ran a good time of 10:10.”

The Riverbank team is scheduled to compete against Hilmar this week at home on Thursday, May 1. Next Monday, May 5, the freshmen and sophomores compete at Escalon in the TVL Frosh/Soph Championship Meet. This Saturday, Fabian Arana, Mikayla Florez, and Jonathen Beliera travel to the ultra-competitive Meet of Champions at American River College.