Warriors Shine at Avis Kelley Invitational

Jessica Xu pulls away in the 3rd lap on her way to 5:20!

Gilroy - Valley Christian traveled to Gilroy High School to compete against over 30 schools in the 43rd annual Avis Kelley Invitational Saturday. It was a solid day for the Warriors; while the majority of athletes competed the night prior at the Frosh-Soph Top 8 Classic the numerically small squad finished an impressive 5th in the team standings for the Girls.

It was a strong showing for standout Shelby Smallwood who was a double winner, taking both the 100 and 200 meters. Smallwood crossed the finish line in identical times in both the preliminaries and finals with a time of 12.78. She ran away from the field in the 200 meters running 25.93 in the preliminaries and then with a half second victory of 26.17 in the finals.

Fellow sprinter Mary Ellen Bradley also had a solid showing running a season best 13.13 in the 100 meters that was good for 4th place on the podium. She doubled back finishing 5th in the 200 with a time of 27.59.

In the distances Jessica Xu had a breakthrough performance nearly dipping under the 5:20 barrier finishing 3rd in the 1600 meters. Running a tactical first two laps, Xu broke away and gave chase to the leaders, negative splitting a 2:36 over the final 800 meters. Xu’s mark of 5:20.17 moves her to #8 all-time for the Warriors. Joining her in the sub 6 club is Kellianne Connolly who broke through the barrier with a 5:58.99. Amy Reyes continues to hover at the 6 minute mark finishing in 6:02. Vanessa Gillespie finished in 6:07, a strong showing after a personal best in the 800 meters the night before.

Robriana was the lone jumper for the Warriors but she had a huge impact finishing 4th with a  season best mark of 33-3.

The Boys were led by Eyobed Mesfun in the 1600 meters who finished 5th with a time of 4:38.95. Running an even split race, Mesfun surged a 67 over the final 400 meters to dip under 4:40 for the first time. That performance moves him up to #4 all-time for the Warriors and sets the tone for the final push to WCAL next month.

Fa'aili Gaoteote in the Shot Put at the Avis Kelley Inv.

The throws were just as strong with two top 10 performances in the shot put. David Maumalanga led the way with a personal best of 42’5”. That mark moves him into #6 all-time for the Warriors, an impressive fete for the Junior who is in his first year trying the event. He was joined in the top 10 by teammate Fa’aili Gaoteote who finished 9th on the day. Samuel Acomb also had a great toss in the discus, his mark of 108’6” was a personal best and #9 all-time for the Warriors!

In the Frosh-Soph boys division freshman Morian Walker made the finals in both the 100 and the 200 meters. His top race came in the 200 meters with a season best 25.58 to finish 4th.

Full Results: CLICK HERE