SERRA LEAGUE FINALS PREVIEW::
Friday, November 7 2003

The St. John Bosco cross country team will go after its 10th league title in a row and fifth Serra League title in as many years this Friday. These streaks date back to 1994 and 1999 respectively. Ironically the string of league titles have simply become known as "The Streak." The last four titles have arguably been the most prestigious of the bunch as they were earned in one of the toughest leagues in Southern California. Recently the Serra League was ranked as the 7th toughest league in the CIF - Southern Section. Considering that there are 66 leagues in the section, it really is an accomplishment to be on top of such a league for as long as the Braves have. This years Braves are once again favored to capture this years Serra League title. They hope to accomplish what has been talked about for the past few years - #10. Senior veteran Mahesh Gandhi has been through three previous league titles and has anticipated this day since he was a freshman. "Ever since i have been a freshman, we have been carrying on this tradition, and i hope that it'll continue for a long time to come. This tenth straight league title will be so awesome to have because (league) is always so hard and competitive, but in the end we always have prevailed and hopefully (the team) will continue to do this in the future." says Gandhi.

Leading the way going into the meet will be junior Randy Skillens. This season Skillens has equaled or broken school and junior class records at Central Park, Woodward Park, and Mt. SAC. In the September Serra League cluster meet Randy placed second to league favorite Nick Mosey of Servite. In the races since then Skillens has posted faster times then Mosey at Woodward Park and Mt. SAC - although the two were in separate races. The two should battle for individual league dominance. If one of those two should falter a strong running senior in Luis Uribe could step up in their place. While struggling at times to keep pace with Skillens, Uribe has nonetheless been the team's #1 man at the Bosco Tech, Sunny Hills, and Roadrunner Classic Invitational's. A flawless race from Uribe would put him in the mix for individual bragging rights as he posted a victory over Mosey in the 2001 Serra League finals.

The Braves should get outstanding backup from their number three, four and five runners. Senior Ephraim Barrios has been the picture of consistency this year as he has always placed as the teams #2 or #3 man all season. His races will need to improve however if he hopes to capture a top 4 finish in league. Juniors Luis Perez and Kevin Urak have been the biggest and brightest surprises for the squad this season. Both come into every race with never say quit attitudes and always can be counted on to give 110%. They provide some of the best backup at the number 4 and 5 spots as any other duo in the state division two. They look to capture not only All League honors, but hope to do so by being within the top 6 in the entire race. Senior Jon Sandoval will be running as the Braves #6. Sandoval knows that this number means nothing as he proved at the Mt. SAC Invitational where he finished as the Braves fourth runner. Jon's rededication to training and his determination in races have helped him improve by leaps and bounds. Although Jon maybe considered a "#6 man" he wont let that stop him from chasing after his teammates. Sandoval looks to capture and All League spot, thus placing six Brave runners in the top 10 at League.

Both the Junior Varsity and Frosh/Soph teams will be competing for top league honors on Friday as well. The Junior Varsity will be led by a number of Braves that may include Mahesh Gandhi, Matt Estrella, Matthew Pruter and Alex Wood. The Frosh/Soph team will welcome back sophomore Jon Batres as he attempts to lead his team to a title. Backing up Batres should be the freshman duo of Luis Toapanta and Victor Bonilla.

The Serra League finals start at 1:30PM with the Varsity race set to go off at 3:30PM. Central Park in Huntington Beach will be the site of the race.