Athlete Bios:

Shelby Burrus (Fr. Milpitas High - Mid Distance) - Shelby comes to us from the distance and sprint powerhouse of Milpitas High. Shelby brings her sprint speed to the track this Spring where she will attempt to focus more on middle distance events (800 & 1500). In the fall, Shelby received All-Conference honors and was MVP of our XC team. Her great attitude and commitment should take her far this year. (PR's: 59.7, 2:28, 5:36)

Michael Buttery (So. Piedmont Hills High - Mid Distance) - Michael followed in his brother Aaron's footsteps and joined the ranks here at West Valley in 2002. Since then, Michael has shown his talents as a distance runner in both Cross Country and Track. In the Fall of '02, he was an integrel part of our NorCal Championship team. He kept the winning attitude alive the next Spring as he won the Steeplechase Conference title and soon qualified to the State Meet where he placed 8th. This Spring Michael looks to lower his PR's in all events and be a top finisher at this years State Championships. (PR's: 2:01, 4:12, 9:51)

Justin Chaudoin (So. Piedmont Hills High - Mid Distance) - A relatively new member of the running community, Justin joins us in only his second track season ever. In his first year running last year he was a part of the NorCal Championship team and brought his speed onto the track the following Spring. This past Fall he competed for the San Jose State XC team. Wanting to compete in a full track season, Justin joins us again this Spring to show off his middle distance talents. (PR's: 2:02, 4:10)

Ronnie Chitwood (Fr. - Distance) -

Natalia Crema (Fr. Prospect High - Throws) -

Taff Dirks (Fr. Los Altos High - Distance) - One of the fiercest competitors on our squad, Taff leaves everything in a race and is a firm believer in "No Pain, No Gain." Taff has already shown his talents in Cross Country where he received All-Conference honors and competed in the State Championships. This Spring, Taff will compete in the 800, 1500, Steeple, and 5k races. (PR's: 2:06, 4:33(1600m), 9:52 (3200m), 16:18 (5k))

Jerry Dwelle (So. Santa Teresa High - Sprints) - Jerry enters his second season as part of the Viking crew. Last year, he was a part of our 4 x 400 at the NorCal Finals. Jerry's main events are the 200, 400 and both relays. After a great year of experience and training, Jerry is back and ready to bring down his times. (PR's: 11.66, 23.12, 51.31)

Nik Kujacznski (Fr. Los Gatos High - Thows) - Better known as Nik Kay, one of the most highly recruited athletes in the Bay Area, Nik joins our squad this fall as a top ranked discus thrower and shop putter. As a Senior at Los Gatos, Nik broke CCS records in both throws and won the prestigous HS State Meet in the discus. This Spring, Nik may try the Hammer as well. However, being an Olympic year he may focus on the Shot and Disc in an attempt to hit qualifying marks. (PR's: --------)

Ka Shing Lau (So. Piedmont Hills High - Distance) - Kash is also a product of Piedmont Hills and brings his great attitude and distance talents to the track again this Spring. Kash's past achievements include being a part of the NorCal XC Championship team in '02 and All-Conference honors this last fall ('03). This Spring Kash hopes to dip under the 10 min mark in his specialty event, the 3000m Steeplechase . (PR's: 2:08, 4:20, 10:11(Steeple), 16:30)

Michael Loftus (So. Burlingame High - Distance) - Loftus returns for his second year and shows no signs of letting up. In his freshman year, Michael was also part of the NorCal Champion Cross Country team. Last Spring Mike made huge strides as he competed in the 1500, Steeple and 5k events. Mike qualified for the State meet in the Steeplechase and ran his personal best time of 9:54.38 to place him 9th. This past Fall, Mike led our men to the State XC Championships. His focus this Spring will be on the Steeplechase. (PR's: 2:09, 4:23, 9:54, 16:19)

Roger Miller (Fr. Oak Grove High - Throws) -

Daniel Mollo (So. Leland High - Sprints) - One of the hardest workers on our squad, Daniel returns for his second season with high goals in mind. Daniel came out of high school as a CCS champ in the 400m. Last season in the WVC uniform Daniel competed in the NorCal Finals in the 400m and anchored our 4 x 400m Relay team. This year, Mollo will compete in the 200, 400, both relays and possibly even the 800m. (PR's: 11.87, 22.3(200m), 48.52(400m), 2:01(800m))

Mary Portwood (So. Westmont High - Sprints) - Mary joins us for her second season on the track. Last year Mary was a conference finalist in the 100m and also joined the 4 x 400 team at the NorCal trials. This past Fall, Mary competed on our Cross Country and made great strides as she improved greatly over the course of the season. Now Mary will take the endurance she gained and bring it to the track this Spring.

Dan Rimmer (So. Lynbrook High - Decathlete/Sprints) - Dan is a great all around athlete, thus he picked up the Decathlon last Spring. Dan specializes in the sprints and high jump. This past Fall, Dan tried Cross Country for the first time in hopes of bettering his 1500 meter time. Dan competed at the State XC Championships and earned our Most Improved Award as he lowered his time by 6 minutes over the course of the season. This Spring Dan will be a part of our relay teams and compete in the decathlon again. (PR's: 11.46(100m), 52.07(400m), 6-2(HJ))

Mitch Robeck (Fr. Piedmont Hills - Mid-Distance) -

Chris Schwacofer (So. Gilroy High - Throws) - Last year's NorCal Champion in the Discus, Chris returns to us this Spring but a shoulder strain may keep him out this season.

Jesse Tarango (Fr. Lincoln High - Sprints) -

Isidro Trujillo (Fr. San Benito HS - Distance) -

Mohammed Zahriya (Fr. Leigh High - Sprints) - A football player here at West Valley in the Fall, Zahriya comes to us with his fierce competitiveness and quick leg speed. He is sure to lower his times and be a threat in the NorCal.

Lenin Zapata (So. Santa Clara High - Distance) - In his third year at West Valley, Lenin returns for his Sophomore season on the track. In high school, Lenin was a CCS champ in Cross Country. He brings his distance talents to our squad this year as he will focus on the longer races. (PR's: 4:31.2(1600m), 9:34.3(3200m))