KING CITY — Strength in numbers was the difference between this season and last season as the King City High School boys’ track and field team won the 80th Annual King City Invitational Track Meet.
The Mustang track program also won the North Coast versus South team plaque against the teams from San Luis Obispo County.
King City head coach Ismael Rocha was excited that the Mustangs won the team plaque in the 80th year of the track meet. This year’s invitational honored Esther Kosty, who dedicated many years supporting the athletic programs at King City High School.
“We had less depth last season and we have worked as a staff to attract more athletes to the program,” Rocha said. “Being able to score points, high points and lower points, in events helped us secure the boys’ varsity title.”
King City placed first in the varsity boys’ division; second in the frosh/soph boys’ division; seventh in the varsity girls’ division; and fourth in the frosh/soph girls’ division.
The Mustang varsity boys outscored Salinas High 122-94 and the King City frosh/soph boys’ team took second behind Hollister 174.5-112.5. Arroyo Grande won the varsity girls’ division, edging Hollister 70-69. Paso Robles won the frosh/soph girls’ division with a 129-111.5 win over Hollister.
John Angel Ruelas was the high point award winner for King City in the varsity boys’ division, claiming a win in the 400 meters, second in the 200 meters and as a member of the Mustang 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams.
Alex Macias contributed mightily to the Mustang win by taking first in the triple jump, second in the long jump and scoring points in the 100 meters and 4 x 100 relay.
Jacqueline Orellana was the high point award for the King City varsity girls, with points in the 100 meters, 200 meters, high jump and long jump.
Carson Tidwell won the King City high point award in the frosh/soph boys’ division with a win in the boys’ 100 and 200 meters and as a member of the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams.
King City’s Jocelyn Olivera won the high point award in the frosh/soph girls’ division, with points in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters.
Giselle Zepeda of Soledad was the varsity girls’ division high point award winner, claiming the 100 meters and finishing second in both the 200 and 400 meters.
Anthony Gabrick of Pacific Grove was the varsity boys’ high point award winner with a first-place win in the 300 hurdles and placing second in the 1600 and 3200 meters.
Luke Kleinman of Paso Robles won the high point awards in the frosh/soph boys’ division by placing first in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters. Valentina Ruelas Lomeli of Arroyo Grande was the high point award winner with a win in the 100-meter hurdles, a second in the 300-meter hurdles and running a leg of the 4 x 100 relay team.
Assistant coaches this season at King City are: Evan Petrovic (jump/sprints); Steve McEnroe (throws); Miguel Zamudio (distance); Xabier Espinoza (sprints/relays); Maggie Garcia (distance/timer); Gisela Aparicio (distance/timer); Elizabeth Cazares (distance); Cesar Chavez (jumps); and Dave Daines (pole vault).
Complete results of the King City Invitational can be found on athletic.net.
