SOLEDAD — Last Thursday, April 18, at North Salinas High School in Salinas, the Soledad High girls’ 4×100 relay team established a new school record in the track event with a time of 53.44.
Members of the Aztecs relay team were: juniors Chikamso Elelleh and Giselle Zepeda and freshmen Justina Botello and Chidalu Elelleh.
The previous record was held by the team of Mariela Lopez, Alejandra Rodriguez, Lissette Villegas and Denise Virgen, who set the mark of 53.83 in 2016.
“These young women of excellence, who all have a 4.0 GPA, are flying with excellence on and off the field with extracurricular activities,” said Soledad assistant sprints coach Tenisha Hill. “As a track athlete myself, I know what it takes and what it takes to give back. The girls are very passionate, work hard and really want to get better.”
Zepeda is a two-sport athlete as a member of the track team and soccer team, where she was an All-League player. Botello runs track and also plays basketball.
“When coach (Alexis) Gutierrez and Soledad offered me this position, I took it to heart because with both of us being ex track athletes at MPC (Monterey Peninsula College), he knew my work ethic and he told me what he wanted to bring to the table on this this team,” Hill said. “I can’t ask for anything better, especially as a coach, to go to practice excited to teach and be around them when I step on the field. When I hear ‘Coach T,’ it’s no better feeling. I’m more than a coach, so to support them is also supporting the families.”
The relay team and the rest of the Soledad High track and field team will be in action on Friday at the Cypress Division Varsity Finals at Seaside High School.
