YOUNG STARS - Master Skoth Lee checks the form of Juan Barba (left) and Luis Morales (right) at the gym in Lancaster Wednesday.   BERNARD KANE/Valley Press

Impressive Skills

Morales, Barba finish first, second at tourney

By STEVEN NIX
Valley Press Sports Correspondent
 

Under the direction of Master Skoth and their instructor, the boys have honed their skills to become strong fighters.

Morales finished first, and Barba second in their respective divisions at the Tae Kwan Do Tournament in the City of Industry on May 26.

"I was really happy when I got second," Barba said.

Barba and Morales practice at the gym four days a week, and their hard work is shown in the results from the tournament.

Barba, 10, has only been in martial arts for little over a year. He started in karate when he was younger, but eventually quit.

When he asked his parents if he could return to train, they agreed. Barba has since moved his was up to a green belt.

"Hopefully I will continue to do it," Barba said.

Barba, is in the fifth grade at Tierra Bonita Elementary School, where his favorite subject is science.

"I like science because it's interesting and you get to learn about the different parts in humans and animals," Barba said.

Morales also has shown impressive skill and talent and is currently an orange belt at Ston and Skoth's Academy.