Surging Arcadia Apaches Seek to Take League Finals by Storm

The Arcadia cross country team is ranked No. 6 in Division I and will be looking to make a big push ahead of League Finals on Nov. 1. – Courtesy photo / Chris Lee

By Aaron Valdez

Step by step and mile by mile, the Arcadia cross country team this season has continued to grow its rich traditions and lustrous legacy as it preps for a grand showing at the Pacific League Finals.

Head Coach Chris Lee has had his runners dialed in from the start as their efforts this season have garnered them a No. 6 ranking in CIF Division I. While this recognition does seem like a lot to live up to, Lee believes this makes his team work even harder.

“I don’t think it puts any pressure on us,” Lee said. “That’s been our goal, to make the state meet and the fact that we’re ranked, it doesn’t really faze us, it doesn’t put any added pressure on us but makes us want to keep performing.”

After having a fair-weather performance at the Clovis Invitational in Fresno on Oct. 6, the Apaches bounced back at their Pacific League meet last Thursday, taking second place behind only No. 5 ranked Crescenta Valley.

On the girls’ side, Joyce Wu won her first two league meets, which greatly boost her chances of qualifying for the state meet. For the boys, Jacob Hsu, Tianyuan Pei, Jack Ruan, Alec Fernandez, Soichiro Nagao, Ryan Chan, Eduardo Cruz and Drake Maloney have been the backbone of the team as they continue to log in strong times for Arcadia.

“There’s a really good team dynamic and it’s probably the best team dynamic I’ve been a part of,” Lee said. “These guys are really close to one another, they run for each other and they really like each other.”

Qualifying for the state meet this season will end a two-year drought, but the Apaches will have to first compete in the Mt. Sac Invitational on Saturday and the League Finals on Nov. 1.