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Hectic Pace For Riverbank Track And Field Team
Esquivel
Bruin high jumper Xavier Esquivel wins his varsity event against Escalon last Wednesday at home. Earlier, he had set a personal record of 6-0, and continued attempts to raise the bar after completing his competition. News Photos By Ric McGinnis

Bruin track and field head coach Monte Wood noted that it has been a busy couple of weeks for his throwers, runners and jumpers at Riverbank High School.

Riverbank High School, he noted, hosted five events over 10 days.

“Two dual meets, one High School Invitational, a Junior High Championship, and a Frosh-Soph Championship meet,” he said.

Wood thanked “all the athletes, coaches, parents, alumni, and Bruin Boosters for all their support. We continue to get positive feedback from parents, coaches, and athletes. This was a team effort, and it really makes me proud to be a part of Riverbank Track and Field.”

Wood said the varsity teams will compete in the Trans-Valley League Championship meet at Ripon High School on Thursday, May 11. Both teams finished the dual meet season with records of 2-4. He said the boys team lost a very close meet to Escalon at home this past Wednesday, May 3.

“As it has so many times, it came down to the 4x400 relay. Escalon led for much of the race, but senior Xavier Esquivel finally took the lead for Riverbank with 60 meters to go, but the Escalon anchor runner took the lead back with 20 meters to go and held on for the win of the race and the meet,” Wood said.

Earlier in the day, Esquivel had finished his regular season undefeated in the high jump, according to Wood. Sophomore Julian Lopez won the two mile against Escalon. Derek Hernandez won shot put against EHS with a 43-foot-2 throw, and Zac Richison won the pole vault, 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. He also took second in the long jump.

 

RHS Girls Track

Wood said the RHS girls didn’t have much success against Escalon.

“Alondra Hernandez won the mile and the 2 mile. Jenise Perryman won the 100 hurdles and the triple jump. She finished second in the high jump with a jump of 4-feet-10. She is approaching the school record of 5 feet,” according to Wood.

Also, he noted, Marissa Castellanos continues to progress well in the discus.

“This week she threw 90-feet-8 but was edged out by an Escalon thrower. This is her first year throwing,” Wood said.

 

Frosh-Soph Championship

The Trans-Valley League frosh-soph Championship Meet saw the girls bounce back nicely and finish second overall to Hilmar, with the Yellowjackets winning both the boys and girls F/S championships.

For Riverbank, Jenise Perryman won the 100 hurdles, finished second in the high jump and second in the triple jump. Marissa Castellanos won the discus and was third in the shot put.

“All the girls distance runners performed very well, setting personal records in the 1600 and 800. Anastasia Toscano finished fourth in both of those races,” said Wood.

The boys saw freshmen Isaac Andalon finish fourth in the shot put and then third in the 400 and second in the 800. Two Hilmar boys entered the 800 with very fast times, but that didn’t stop Andalon from going after them, the coach said. He hung tough with both of them and finally edged one of them out for the second place.

“Isaac is a talented athlete, but an even tougher competitor. Ramon Rosas ran very well in the mile to finish sixth with a personal record of 5:13. He has not been able to train most of the season due to knee pain but has really gotten better over the last month,” Wood reported.