With spring break approaching for schools within Gustine Unified School, Gustine High School’s track and field team competed at Bob Pryor Invitational meet in Veterans Stadium at Golden Valley High School on Friday.
Gustine was not involved in this meet initially, but head coach Sarah Bedford was informed by Kim Nichols about the meet and the opportunity to compete against schools outside of the Southern Athletic League (SAL).
“It’s a good opportunity to compete against new schools we don’t usually compete against,” Sarah Bedford said.
The Reds competed in 10 events on Friday, with seven track events and three field events. While Gustine didn’t win any events, some athletes placed their name in the program’s records books within their respective events.
Brady Ramos finished in 17th place in the boys’ 800-meter and 1600-meter races. Ramos finished with a time of 2 minutes and 25.13 seconds in the 800 meter, making it into the program’s top 15 times for the event. He set another milestone in the 1600 meter with a time of 5:33.31, recording the 14th best time for the event in program history.
Gustine’s Jeff Camara finished in 18th place with a time of 23.25 in the boys’ 110-meter hurdles where the hurdle’s height is 39 inches. He now has the 11th best time in this specific event for the program.
In the girls’ discus throw, Gustine’s Isabella Horo recorded a throw of 22.02 meters to finish in 20th place. Following Horo was Emireth Nieto and Kaylah Bedford, who finished 33rd and 40th place, respectively.
Juan Aguilera finished the boys’ 400-meter race with a time of 58.61 seconds, placing 21th overall for the event. Ramos and Camara followed up by finishing in 33rd and 36th place overall, respectively.
Horo recorded a throw of 7.29 meters to place 22nd overall in the girls’ shot put. Nieto and Kaylah Bedford finished in 27th and 36th place, respectively.
Gustine’s Cecila Rivera recorded a time of 1:15.47 to finish in 23rd place in the girls’ 400-meter race. Rivera also ran a time of 32.67 seconds in the girls’ 200-meter race, placing 32nd overall.
Camara finished in 28th place with a recorded jump of 3.75 meters in the boys’ long jump event.
To end Friday’s meet for Gustine, Rivera placed 39th overall in the girls’ 100-meter race with a time of 15.23 seconds. Kaylah Bedford and Yesenia Ramirez finished the event with placements of 42nd and 43rd overall, respectively.
With less two weeks until their final meet of the season, Sarah Bedford emphasized the importance of staying focus, especially as they enter the “home stretch” portion of Gustine’s season.
“I want them (student athletes) to keep improving, that way they have a good basis for next year, hopefully when they compete again,” Sarah Bedford said.
Gustine will travel to Waterford High School on May 2 to compete in SAL Track Meet Finals. Field events will begin at 2 p.m. with track events beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Navtej Hundal is freelance journalist in Stanislaus County
