News Summary

Gilroy’s Kaiden Gonzales and Christopher High’s Shiloh Vallejos have made headlines this season with record-breaking performances in the Blossom Valley Athletic League finals. Gonzales set a new school record in shot put and Vallejos also impressed by surpassing her school record. Their achievements have inspired fellow athletes and showcased the talent and determination coming from both schools this year.

Gilroy’s Track and Field Stars Light Up the 2023 Season

The streets of Gilroy are buzzing with excitement as two standout athletes, Kaiden Gonzales from Gilroy High and Shiloh Vallejos of Christopher High, have made waves in the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL) finals and other prestigious competitions this season. Their stellar performances have not only set new records but have also inspired fellow athletes in their schools and beyond.

A Record-Breaking Season

The BVAL Finals, held on May 10 at Santa Teresa High, marked a significant milestone for many competitors, but none shone brighter than Gilroy’s Kaiden Gonzales. The talented shot putter truly outdid himself, finishing third at the Central Coast Section (CCS) Finals with an incredible school-record throw of 58-0.5. This impressive mark didn’t come easy, as Gonzales pushed himself beyond his previous limits and delivered his record-breaking throw on one of his final attempts during the event.

Not only did this remarkable performance earn him a much-coveted invite to the CIF State Meet in Clovis, but it also put Gonzales in the history books of Gilroy High, breaking a long-standing record that had stood for 54 years. The previous record of 56-11.25, set by Sal Flores back in 1971, is now a thing of the past.

Challenging Competition

During the CCS Finals, Gonzales narrowly edged out Aptos’ Logan Brantley, who finished with a throw of 58-0, proving just how competitive this year’s finals were. Even though Gonzales finished 15th at the CIF State Meet with a throw of 54-8, he took the experience in stride, feeling thankful for the entire season and his record-breaking achievements. Throughout the year, he shattered Gilroy’s shot put record four times and rose from a personal best of only 54-3 at the beginning of the season.

Vallejos Shines Bright

Meanwhile, Christopher High’s very own Shiloh Vallejos has also had a fantastic season, showcasing her skills in the shot put. She finished sixth in the CCS Finals with a throw of 38-10. Her performance at the BVAL Finals was nothing short of spectacular, as she set a new school record with an impressive throw of 40-2.5—surpassing the previous record by nearly four feet! Vallejos began the season with a personal best of only 34 feet and improved by nearly 20%, proving her determination and hard work throughout the season.

Supporting Each Other

Both Gonzales and Vallejos have attributed their success to the positive environment surrounding them, including mentorship from Gonzales’s father, throws coach Fortune Gonzales. The athletes’ unwavering commitment to their sport, combined with the support of their peers, has clearly paid off.

Highlights from the Season

Throughout the season, several athletes from both Gilroy and Christopher have demonstrated their talents at the BVAL Championships. Gonzales not only captured the title in the shot put with a throw of 57-0 but also placed second in the discus event with a throw of 148-10. Gilroy’s Juel Martinez made headlines finishing eighth in boys long jump at 21-2.25, while freshman Omarri Neville contributed to a sixth-place finish in the 4×100 relay.

Christopher High also showcased impressive talent with Kordell Crocker finishing fifth in boys long jump with a jump of 21-11 and Isabelle Schreyer clearing 5-0 in the high jump.

Looking Ahead

The excitement does not stop here. With the CCS preliminaries taking place at Gilroy High on May 17 and the finals on May 24, it’s clear that the track and field season is just heating up. As athletes continue to strive for greatness, the future looks promising for both Gilroy and Christopher High schools, and we can’t wait to see what these talented youngsters will achieve next!

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