Trans-Valley League and tournament action got Riverbank's spring sports teams back into competition after the long break from school. Following is a summary of results in track and field, baseball, boys golf, girls soccer and softball.
Track
The Bruins built on another perfect varsity TVL win (over Escalon) by rolling to big marks at the Woody Wilson Invitational at UC Davis on April 20 and the Mudville Invitational at Bear Creek High a day later.
The success started when Riverbank cruised past Escalon on April 18. Hayley Richardson exploded to winning marks in the pole vault, triple jump, 300 hurdles and a leg of the winning 1600 relay team. Melissa Garcia won the shot put and discus while Erica Orellana shined to win the 100, 200 and 400 relay. Angel Harrell was just short of 100 feet with a terrific discus toss in the same meet.
Riverbank's boys were paced by Robert Martinez, who ran a 23.3-second 200 and won the triple jump, long jump and was on the winning 400 relay team. Adrian Salazar hit a personal best at 2:11 in the 800 as well.
Two days later Mikayla Florez showcased an incredible late kick to pass five runners in the final 250 meters and claim third at the Woody Wilson with a personal record of 5:11 in the 1600. The time would have landed Florez sixth in the Sac Joaquin Section Masters a year ago (Florez was 10th).
"Her splits were almost even for the first three laps which, she hadn't done before," Riverbank coach Monte Woos said. "She ran a very fast last lap. That is the way to run the 1600."
Garcia was fifth in the shot put while Fabian Arana ended 11th in the discus. The hotly contested tournament featured some of the best teams from the SJS and the North Coast Section.
On Saturday, Riverbank shined at the 17-team Mudville Invite after the frosh-soph Bruin boys ended fifth. Luis Figueroa won the 1600 with a personal record of 4:56 while Arana won the discus with a frosh/soph meet record at 130 feet (would have been third in varsity). He was also second in the shot put. Gabe Manriquez was third in the 400 and fourth in the 200. Joel Carrillo placed sixth in the 800 despite falling down on the first lap.
Tiffany Edgar (third, high jump) Kendra Garcia (third, f/s high jump), Angel Harrell (second, discus), Genisa Contreras (fifth, 100 hurdles), Raymond Burney (seventh, 300 hurdles, 200) and Christian Torres (fifth, 800) also did well among the stiff competition.
"We again didn't have several of our top athletes for different reasons, which is very frustrating," Wood said. "But the kids who showed up competed very well and I am very proud of them."
Riverbank hosts Hughson and famed distance runner Becky Hobby today, April 25.
Baseball
The Bruins sit third in the Trans-Valley League standings after a 1-1 split with Hilmar on April 17 and 19. Riverbank (4-4) is in a tight battle for one of three postseason seeds with Hilmar (5-3), Ripon (3-3) and Hughson (3-3), who all trail unbeaten Escalon (6-0). Hughson and Hilmar still have to play Escalon, so Riverbank can likely secure a playoff by winning three of their final four games in a series with both Ripon and Hughson.
"We have got four very big games," Riverbank coach Ismael Mercado said. "I don't see why we can't be one of the top three teams, but we are taking it one day at a time because anything can happen."
Riverbank struggled during a 4-0 loss to Hilmar on April 17, but were dominant in a 5-1 win over the Yellowjackets two days later. Antonio Perez pitched the win with eight strikeouts and just three hits allowed.
"He pretty much stepped up for the team and did a great job," Mercado said. "He settled in and we kept Hilmar off balance."
Anthony Gonzales was 2 for 3 in the win while Bruce Gong belted a big two-RBI double with two outs to give Riverbank the lead. Perez, Tristan Rodgers and Sam Gong all belted hits in the win while Noel Sanchez, Rodgers and Sam Gong scored key sixth-inning runs.
The Bruins have a bye this week and open a series by hosting Ripon on May 1.
Golf
Riverbank fell 293-206 to Hilmar on April 17 and had a bye on April 19. The team was slated to take on host Ripon on April 24.
Soccer
Riverbank struggled to a 7-0 loss to playoff-bound Escalon on April 17, but bounced back with a come-from-behind effort to topple Orestimba with a 3-1 score two days later. Celina Lopez drilled a shot 25 yards out to the top right corner of the box and watched Natalia Villapudua give Riverbank the lead with a score just moments later. Kaitlyn Jimenez added a goal late in the second half and Riverbank played tough defense to preserve the win.
Riverbank hosted unbeaten Hilmar on Tuesday, though results were not available at press time. The team is at Ripon on May 1.
Softball
Riverbank postponed an April 20 contest with Escalon and slipped 5-4 to Modesto Christian on April 18. The Lady Bruins are at Orestimba today and host Hilmar on Friday.
Track
The Bruins built on another perfect varsity TVL win (over Escalon) by rolling to big marks at the Woody Wilson Invitational at UC Davis on April 20 and the Mudville Invitational at Bear Creek High a day later.
The success started when Riverbank cruised past Escalon on April 18. Hayley Richardson exploded to winning marks in the pole vault, triple jump, 300 hurdles and a leg of the winning 1600 relay team. Melissa Garcia won the shot put and discus while Erica Orellana shined to win the 100, 200 and 400 relay. Angel Harrell was just short of 100 feet with a terrific discus toss in the same meet.
Riverbank's boys were paced by Robert Martinez, who ran a 23.3-second 200 and won the triple jump, long jump and was on the winning 400 relay team. Adrian Salazar hit a personal best at 2:11 in the 800 as well.
Two days later Mikayla Florez showcased an incredible late kick to pass five runners in the final 250 meters and claim third at the Woody Wilson with a personal record of 5:11 in the 1600. The time would have landed Florez sixth in the Sac Joaquin Section Masters a year ago (Florez was 10th).
"Her splits were almost even for the first three laps which, she hadn't done before," Riverbank coach Monte Woos said. "She ran a very fast last lap. That is the way to run the 1600."
Garcia was fifth in the shot put while Fabian Arana ended 11th in the discus. The hotly contested tournament featured some of the best teams from the SJS and the North Coast Section.
On Saturday, Riverbank shined at the 17-team Mudville Invite after the frosh-soph Bruin boys ended fifth. Luis Figueroa won the 1600 with a personal record of 4:56 while Arana won the discus with a frosh/soph meet record at 130 feet (would have been third in varsity). He was also second in the shot put. Gabe Manriquez was third in the 400 and fourth in the 200. Joel Carrillo placed sixth in the 800 despite falling down on the first lap.
Tiffany Edgar (third, high jump) Kendra Garcia (third, f/s high jump), Angel Harrell (second, discus), Genisa Contreras (fifth, 100 hurdles), Raymond Burney (seventh, 300 hurdles, 200) and Christian Torres (fifth, 800) also did well among the stiff competition.
"We again didn't have several of our top athletes for different reasons, which is very frustrating," Wood said. "But the kids who showed up competed very well and I am very proud of them."
Riverbank hosts Hughson and famed distance runner Becky Hobby today, April 25.
Baseball
The Bruins sit third in the Trans-Valley League standings after a 1-1 split with Hilmar on April 17 and 19. Riverbank (4-4) is in a tight battle for one of three postseason seeds with Hilmar (5-3), Ripon (3-3) and Hughson (3-3), who all trail unbeaten Escalon (6-0). Hughson and Hilmar still have to play Escalon, so Riverbank can likely secure a playoff by winning three of their final four games in a series with both Ripon and Hughson.
"We have got four very big games," Riverbank coach Ismael Mercado said. "I don't see why we can't be one of the top three teams, but we are taking it one day at a time because anything can happen."
Riverbank struggled during a 4-0 loss to Hilmar on April 17, but were dominant in a 5-1 win over the Yellowjackets two days later. Antonio Perez pitched the win with eight strikeouts and just three hits allowed.
"He pretty much stepped up for the team and did a great job," Mercado said. "He settled in and we kept Hilmar off balance."
Anthony Gonzales was 2 for 3 in the win while Bruce Gong belted a big two-RBI double with two outs to give Riverbank the lead. Perez, Tristan Rodgers and Sam Gong all belted hits in the win while Noel Sanchez, Rodgers and Sam Gong scored key sixth-inning runs.
The Bruins have a bye this week and open a series by hosting Ripon on May 1.
Golf
Riverbank fell 293-206 to Hilmar on April 17 and had a bye on April 19. The team was slated to take on host Ripon on April 24.
Soccer
Riverbank struggled to a 7-0 loss to playoff-bound Escalon on April 17, but bounced back with a come-from-behind effort to topple Orestimba with a 3-1 score two days later. Celina Lopez drilled a shot 25 yards out to the top right corner of the box and watched Natalia Villapudua give Riverbank the lead with a score just moments later. Kaitlyn Jimenez added a goal late in the second half and Riverbank played tough defense to preserve the win.
Riverbank hosted unbeaten Hilmar on Tuesday, though results were not available at press time. The team is at Ripon on May 1.
Softball
Riverbank postponed an April 20 contest with Escalon and slipped 5-4 to Modesto Christian on April 18. The Lady Bruins are at Orestimba today and host Hilmar on Friday.
