2003 SEASON PREVIEW::

As Season Approaches, Braves Set Goals

As summer ends and the St. John Bosco cross country team prepares to start a new school year a sense of urgency faces each team member. Entering the season as the #1 ranked team (in the southern section division two) and #3 ranked team (in state division two) the Braves run each day with a target on their backs. Despite the stressful honor of being ranked high the Braves have trained throughout the summer as though they have something to prove and although injuries have plagued a few members of the squad the Braves enter the season at a strong 95%.

Leading the 2003 squad is returning junior Randy Skillens who in '02 came on strong to establish himself as one of the top sophomores in the state. Along side Skillens will be senior Luis Uribe who had a breakthrough track season and a quality summer - he has caught the eyes of a few as he was recently placed as a 3rd team selection on the Los Angeles County rankings and as "honorable mention" on the preseason all state division II list. Returning seniors Ephraim Barrios and Mahesh Gandhi will also contribute to the squad. Barrios had a breakthrough '02 cross country outing and will help the team with his encouragement and tough mental attitude. Gandhi, a four year varsity letterman has experienced a halting hamstring injury and was forced to cross train during the summer. His strength and experience will be a welcome addition when he arrives back at full strength

Sophomore Jonathon Batres has rebounded nicely from a season ending injury in '02 and should compete for a top 3 spot on the squad. Batres was running as the team's #1 man before his injury and is looking to establish himself as such once again. New to the varsity ranks this season are juniors Kevin Urak, Luis Perez and Matthew Pruter. After a blistering summer Urak looks to establish himself as a top scorer on the varsity squad. Perez and Pruter plan on taking full advantage of Gandhi's absence as they start the season as the number sixth and seventh runners.

The varsity Braves plan on starting their season at the Don Bosco Tech Invitational. Check the schedule to follow the 2003 Running Braves in their pursuit for their 10th straight league title and to add some icing on their cake in racing to capture CIF and State titles!