Running over the river and through the woods to grandfathers house and then all the way back again is no problem for the San Diego City College cross country team, in fact running is what they live for.

This year brings new promises for this “Young and very motivated team,” as said by Cross Country Coach Paul Greer.

This year’s team is not yet fully finalized, as the coaches need to make sure all the athletes fill their required academic fulfillments, but the coaches are inevitably hoping for a contingent of twelve potential runners.

The men’s cross country team of 2008 have all moved on with the one exception of Jose Lopez, who has trained extensively throughout the year It will be up to him as the senior in team to lead the way.

The rest of the team comes from a tight nit family of high school runners, mostly from San Diego High, where they are familiar with the rigors required in running professionally and have the silverware to prove their worth.

This newly formed and highly motivated men’s team’s main goal is to bring back the winning tradition to City College and to make their Coaches and school proud.

While most students had a relaxing break at the beach, the men’s cross-country team has been rigorously training all summer long, pounding the pavement.

They started their school year off with a running start meeting and have been working with the coach since early August. The men’s cross-country team ran their first race before the official start of the fall school semester.

Their first race is the Balboa four mile, coming up Saturday, September 5. The first race of the season is a unique one because it involves not only runners from other colleges but also members from the community who may wish to participate. It could be considered a fun run.

This race is around the perimeter of Balboa Park and was created in the light of the budget cuts. The men’s team will be wearing their school colors and compete as though it were a sanctioned race.

The first official race is on September 11, against Palomar starting at 4 p.m. This year City College is looking for results from freshmen Ray Rebolledo and his brother Chris, both are runners who transferred here from San Diego High School and carry with them a winning record.

With budget cuts in full suing the entire sports department has been cut ten percent. As a result, there will only be nine races this year. Even with funding being cut, this team hopes to establish a new era in winning.

“This is the best team we have had in years,” said Head Coach Peter Gregory.