Riverbank hosted its first Trans-Valley League dual meet against Hughson prior to the spring break week, with some good results but ultimately taking a loss in both boys and girls action.

“On the girls side, we were without distance runner Alondra Hernandez, so it made it really difficult to go against them since they have so many excellent distance runners,” said head coach Monte Wood. “Alondra was bouncing back from an injury she suffered the week before, and we didn’t want to risk any further injury.”

There were some notable performances, Wood added.

“Savannah Macias was a star. She won the 100, 200, and ran on both the winning relay teams. Her time in the 200 might have broken the school record but there was a timing system error, so we had to nullify the times,” the coach said. “I think it is just a matter of time before she breaks both the 100 and the 200 school records.”

Her sister Mikayla Macias won the shot put, and Marissa Castellanos won the discus. Freshman Cecilia Leon continues to improve and impress. She was second in both the discus and the shot put. Her throw of 89-9 was impressive the discus.

“That might be the farthest throw by a freshman girl in a long time at RHS. She is going to be a star,” Wood said.

On the boys side, Zac Richison took three first places. He won the pole vault, 110 hurdles, and 300 hurdles. He was second to Theo Luu in the triple jump.

“Luu had a huge day by jumping 40-4 to win the triple jump and jumped 18-7 to win the long jump. He is a hard working athlete and is doing great things right now,” said Wood. “We swept them in the distance races with Damian Lopez winning the mile and 800, and Ramon Rosas winning the 3200. We actually swept Hughson in the 3200 with Ramon, freshmen Adan Salgado and Carlos Aguilera going 1-2-3. Senior Chris Martinez won the 400.”

Overall, the Bruin squads performed very well, Wood said.

“We just have too many events we don’t have athletes in or they just aren’t quite ready for varsity competition.”

During spring break Alondra Hernandez did race in the 1600 at the Thunder Invitational in Rocklin and won the race.

“The pace started out really slow, which is an advantage to her, and turned into a kickers race at the end. Alondra has amazing closing speed and outkicked six girls for the win,” Wood noted. “That was a major accomplishment for her to win a highly competitive race. We hope to keep her healthy and ready to run some fast times at the end of the year.”