Braves Season Review at Half
Way Point
Midway through their season the Braves of 2002 have experienced
moderate success. For some, success has come easy, while for
others it has been an up hill battle to conquer the goals being
set. Each athlete has learned from the experience of their
own competition however and are ready to take on the tasks
that lay ahead. The second half of the season will focus primarily
on Serra League Meets which will lead way into CIF competition.
It is still the goal of the athletes and the coaching staff
to train hard enough in order to capture their 1st Serra League
Track and Field title. In the weeks to come the Braves will
take advantage of a less cluttered meet schedule and train
up to a level necessary in order to compete in this always
tough league. The team is still led by a core Senior group
that will need to step up in order to achieve their goals.
Here is an area report of how the team is fairing:
SPRINTS:
We knew that a return to the oval would make an impact to our
team but few were ready for the pace that has been set by
Junior Joe Cowan. A vital part of Bosco's 2000 track team,
Cowan took his Sophomore season off to focus on Football.
In his return he has set his sites on helping his team win
the League title. It doesn't stop there for this mild mannered
athlete as he is aware that he is not only a candidate for
a League title in the 400m but also for the CIF title. His
progress has been moderate because of a preseason injury
but thus far he has set a school record of 48.86 in the 400m
and run a team leading 39.55 in the Intermediate Hurdles.
A small step behind Cowan on the oval, but never behind in
dedication is Senior Team Captain Garrett Schott. Schott,
the defending League Champion in the 200 meters has already
made statements with his sprinting diversity this year. He
has been an inspiration in the relays and had led his team
by example. His seasonal bests of 10.9 in the 100m, 22.0
in the 200m and 50.08 in the 400m have all been included
on various State Leading Lists throughout the season. Senior
Josh Bradford has been anything but "back up" in
the sprint division - he's been much more. He has adjusted
well this year to take a dominant role, taking responsibility
to improve, for himself and his team. As a integral part
of this crew, he has lowered his times dramatically. Seasonal
bests include 22.4 in the 200m and 50.2 in the 400m. Perhaps
the most important factor about this athlete is his sheer
will in the 4x400 relay, as he is determined every time out
to put his team in 1st place. Junior Matt Young has run valiantly
in the relays this year and is looking to help his team improve
each time out. He is still looking for that one break through
individual race, but with the dedication and work he has
shown in his training that day should not be too far off.
Filling in as an alternate when one of these top four are
unable to run has been Senior sprinter Archie Aragon. Aragon
has improved vastly from last year and has proven that he
can be more then counted on when he is needed. It is dedication
such as his that makes having a back up more comfortable.
DISTANCE:
Things are looking bright on the distance side of things as Seniors Randy Hills
and Daniel Estrella and Junior Anthony Martinez are leading the way. Hills,
a returning CIF qualifier in the 3200m, and All CIF Cross Country honoree,
has posted times of 9:34.5 in the 3200m and 4:25.5 in the 1600m. Hill's seasonal
marks and dedication to training could very well land him a spot in CIF finals. Estrella
who had a break through cross country season is carrying over that success
to the track. His seasonal best marks are improvements from last year by
over ten seconds each. With times of 9:36 in the 3200m and 4:29 in the 1600m,
Estrella is sending a message to the rest of the League that he too is a
force that needs to be respected. Martinez is the third element to this tandem
here. He has thus far posted seasonal best of 9:45 in the 3200m and 4:31
in the 1600m. When all three parts are working together it will be tough to
break them. Their dedication needs to be at an all time high however if they
are to help their team to victory in League. Sophomore Mahesh Gandhi and Junior
Osvaldo Lopez have stepped up their games this year for the distance crew.
They have both made fantastic strides in the 800m run to post team leading
marks of 2:03 and 2:01 respectively. Their dedication will surely
help the Braves in a race that needs their strength.
FIELD EVENTS:
Kevin Cape, is leading his team with his ability and leadership
in the vertical and horizontal jumps. He is the returning
League Champion in the triple jump, with runner up credentials
in the high and long jumps. Personal bests include a school
record 44'5.25 in the triple jump, 21-8 in the long jump,
and 6'4 in the high jump. Cape's goals are to win all three
events this year while also juggling starting role duties
on Bosco's always competitive Volleyball team! Senior Jorge
De La Cruz will once again take to the sky in the Pole Vault
and is another strong candidate for the League crown with
a personal best of 14'. De La Cruz is an exceptional athlete
and student and will be looked to for inspiration by all
team mates. |
