SANTA MARIA — Sisters Griselda Gonzales, Maribel Gonzales and Sandy Morales did everything for Santa Maria band, track & field, basketball, volleyball, golf, cross country and finished in the top 10 of their class years ago.
This track & field season, their children continued in their footsteps by qualifying for the Region IV-2A meet this week in Kingsville.
Mia Picazo, the daughter of Griselda Gonzales, qualified in the 800-meter run and the 1,600. Picazo, a sophomore, also is a multi-sport athlete at Santa Maria. Gonzales was a state qualifier in cross country and track & field.
“It was kind of expected,” Griselda Gonzales said. “I always leave it up to her, if she wants to do it and she enjoys it, then do it. I do not want to force anything on her. If it does not come from her, she is not going to enjoy the sport.”
Picazo is nervous about going to the regional meet because it is a step up in competition, but she is excited about the challenge. She qualified for both events last year as well.
Senior Jiovanna Morales qualified for the regional in the discus.
“It was surreal,” she said. “It is something that I did not really expect to happen, but I am glad I did because of all the work I put in.”
Morales tore her anterior cruciate ligament her sophomore year and is just now feeling good on the knee. She is ready for the regional; she said her throws in practice have been better than her throws at meets because of the nerves.
“Last year was a catchup year,” said Sandy Morales, the mother of Jiovanna Morales. “She worked hard to get back but she can still do it, she has another meet to go. She is very determined.”
Sandy Morales said she did not force her daughter to do things. Instead, she emphasized living with regret for not trying things while in high school.
“If you try and you do not like it, that is fine, but if you do at least you know you tried,” she said.
Juan Morales, a junior, qualified for the regional in the 1,600.
“I was kind of shocked a little bit,” he said. “I did not know I was going to be able to keep up but was not super surprised, because I knew I was able to run as fast as the top runners.”
Morales was a little worried about performing. He said he did not want to have a bad day at the track. His mother, Maribel Gonzales, was proud of him for qualifying.
When asked how she encourages her son to participate in sports, she quickly responded with, “He is forced.”
The mother and son echoed with smiles that if a child does not play sports or run, they are not going to be out and about, they are going to be at home.
“It teaches them discipline, responsibility and hard work,” Maribel Gonzales said. “In running and sports, if you want to be good at it, it does not come easy, you have to work for it. Even if you have natural talent you have to train. In life you have to work for it.”
The sisters have established professions in the medical field. Their children expressed desires to work in the medical field, too
For now, they will continue to follow in their mothers’ footsteps at Santa Maria.
