CALIFORNIA STATE MEET::

"Respect"

2002 team stakes claim as school's best ever

For head coach Tim McIntosh it was all about one little word - "Respect." It's what he wanted for his boys who made up this years cross country team. Respect for the fact that 6 out of the 7 varsity runners this year came from almost complete running obscurity to make up arguably the schools best cross country team ever. That is what McIntosh wanted for his runners, but it was up to his runners to go out and earn the respect in what was to be the last race of their season - The California State Cross Country Meet.

Focused and ready, the boys set out to accomplish their goals and earn the wish of their mentor. Running on a cool morning the Braves were ready to prove that they had arrived and were ready to challenge the best teams around. As the gun went off one could feel that something special was about to happen. Through one mile the Brave's pack worked their way through the competition on the rolling 5K course. Through two miles the Braves had worked their way up and challenged for the runner up team spot. With a little less then a mile to go, the talent, depth and experience of the higher ranked teams overcame a fast packed Braves team and left them in a very respectful 5th place. For the Braves, who finished the race as the 3rd best Southern Section team after finishing as the 5th a week earlier, it was the highest placing ever at the State meet.

Sophomore Randy Skillens (15:52) once again came through in the big race as he led his team on this day. Skillens, whose best time of 17:05 just a year prior, became the school record holder for the State Meet course and the 6th fastest Sophomore in all five divisions combined on the day. His improvement from last year to this is an example of his hard work and determination and should set the tone for the next two years. Senior Anthony Martinez, whose contributions to the team over the last three seasons have been irreplaceable, ran today as the team's 2nd man. Tony, who was given the nickname "chalup" as a sophomore by his older teammates, had what he considered a disappointing day as he ran a respectable time of 16:12. Off day or not, Martinez has been through more in three seasons with the Running Braves then any other runner in Bosco history. He has participated in three consecutive cross country finals and qualified for two state meets. His leadership and talent will be missed as he is the last of the 2000 team who set records at Mt. SAC, La Mirada and Central Park. Junior Luis Uribe ran the best race of the season at the right time, as he finished as the Braves 3rd man in a time of 16:16. Uribe, who came out for cross country late into his sophomore year, has proved to be a major player on the Braves path to success.   Junior Ephraim Barrios (16:21), who spent all of last year struggling to be #1 man at the Frosh/Soph level, also ran the best race of the season. Barrios, who carried a PR of 17:25 into this season, stepped up extraordinarily this year in becoming an important part of the Braves top 5. Junior and seasoned veteran, Mahesh Gandhi rounded out the Braves scoring five.   Gandhi, who played back up over the past two seasons at the varsity level stepped up this year. He struggled early season, but turned over a new leaf at the Clovis Invitational where he would recapture the fire that led him to a 16:31PR from last year. He finished out the season strong as he finished between 3rd and 5th man for the Braves during all the big races. Rounding out the top 7 for the Braves were senior Darby O'neill (17:11) and junior Ruben Flores (17:15). O'neill will be missed for his determination and never say die attitude. Although sometimes hard on himself he worked his way from a husky 29 minute three miler as a freshman to an important part of the varsity team over four seasons. Flores, who sometimes struggled to keep up this year, really came on in the later half of the season to become a solid performer for his team.

Through it all this years cross country team accomplished more then any other team in school history. What made their task even sweeter is that fact that no one gave them credit coming into the season. Hard work, determination, never giving up and believing in each other - all attributes of true champions - all attributes to earn the respect that they so rightfully deserve! Here's to the runners of the 2002 St. John Bosco Cross Country team - congratulations, it's been one heck of a ride!