More course records set by Los Gato's Bates, Beritzhoff
By Dick Sparrer
It's beginning to sound like a broken record, or in language that today's teens would better understand, a scratched CD.
Because Los Gatos cross country runners Matt Bates and Michelle Beritzhoff seem to be playing the same tune week after week--and that's breaking records on courses throughout the Santa Clara Valley.
It started a few weeks back when both set new standards on the Fremont course in Sunnyvale when they ran to wins in the Firebird Invitational, and they continued the trend a week later at the Saratoga Invitational.
The two made it three straight last week when they each ran to wins at the Central Park Invitational in Santa Clara, both setting new course records in the process.
Bates led the Los Gatos boys to a team title by covering the 2.3-mile course at Central Park in 11:23, a new record.
Tomas Viramontes was a close second in 11:26 with Russ Martin fourth in 11:52, Darren Key eighth in 12:15, Greg Tolan ninth in 12:17 and Jeff Hoeft 10th in 12:20.
"Another course record!" said Los Gatos coach Willie Harmatz, praising Bates' performance.
"But he owes his course records to Tomas," added the coach. "He sets the pace for Matt in each race. His pace-setting ability is fantastic."
While Harmatz was pleased with the performances of Bates and Viramontes in Santa Clara, he was thrilled with the return of Martin, who has been injured much of the year.
"Having him back in the line-up means a lot to this team," said Harmatz of the talented senior.
Like Bates in the boys' division, Beritzhoff continued her record-setting ways in the girls' race.
The junior sensation crushed the old course record by 21 seconds in running 13:26 to lead the Wildcats to a team second behind Milpitas.
Beritzhoff finished first overall with junior Lynsey Harris seventh in 14:36, Jen Rubnitz 10th in 14:40, Erica Williams 13th in 14:57 and Carolyn Penner 23rd in 15:45.
Girls JVs
In the girls junior varsity division, Shannon Kehrig finished 11th in 16:50 with Ashley Harris 14th in 17:00 to lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish in the team standings behind St. Francis (25), Palo Alto (47) and Gunn (116). Gatos and Monta Vista tied for fourth with 119 points apiece.
Laura Rossmassler was 28th for the Cats with Ali Emmons 44th and Stacy Adams 45th.
Boys JVs
Jason Yuki finished second in 13:48 to lead the Los Gatos boys to a team title in the junior varsity division.
Yuki ended up second with Mike Rossmassler third in 13:50, Randy West fourth in 13:52 and Steve Walton eighth in 14:11.
Stanford Invitational
The competition got much tougher last weekend at the Stanford Invitational, but the Los Gatos proved that they were up to the challenge.
The Wildcats finished second in Division 3 behind the state's second-ranked team, Bosco. The race featured many of the state's top squads in the 33-team field.
"Our top five had a great team effort," said Harmatz. "The heat and slow-footing made the times slow, but the effort was there."
"We know we can beat Bosco, we are just not ready yet," he added. "We'll be ready next time, at Mt. Sac."
Martin, in just his second race of the year, ran 16:39 to finish fifth overall. Viramontes was 11th in 16:47 with Bates 15th in 17:07, Tolan 36th in 17:41 and Hoeft 37th in 17:42.
Los Gatos only sent two runners to compete in the girls varsity division at Stanford, and Beritzhoff rambled to a 13th-place finish in 20:20.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Oct. 7 when they compete in the Half Moon Bay Invitational.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
