Spring has arrived, winter sports have been traded in, and track is back. Since the start of the semester, sprinters, jumpers, hurdlers, and distance runners have been training vigorously in preparation for the season. They’ve even participated in several all-comer races to prime for the hectic racing schedule that will make up their season. While both the girls and boys teams were able to dominate in nearly every event at these pre-season races, their competition is sure to stiffen as the season progresses, even leaving potential wins to hang in the balance. While there were great performances from all areas at these smaller meets, there was no question that there was still much to improve on for every event in terms of technique and fitness.

In fact, technique and fitness were put to the test on Mar. 9, at dual League Meet against John Burroughs High School (JBHS).The Apaches had anticipated winning certain crucial events, but were curbed by a failed handoff during the 4x100m relay, costing the Boys Varsity Track team a few too many points. After nail-biting performances in the rest of the events, the winner of the meet was decided by the final event, a 4x400m relay. JBHS quickly took the lead and held it for the first, second, and third legs of the relay. However, the runners dropped their baton on the team’s final handoff, giving junior Darius Jing nearly a 50m lead as he finished off the relay and took the victory for Arcadia.
Following the excitement of the race, senior Justin Hayata, who ran the second leg of the 4x400m relay, boasted that “they could have won the race regardless of JBHS’ dropped baton.” He attributes this confidence to the “depth and focus of our team”, even adding that “everyone on our 4x400m team is under 53 seconds.” He and the relay team hope not only to place 1st at Pacific League Finals, where they are sure to face JBHS once again, but to make it to CIF Finals, where they will be pinned against the best teams in Southern California.

As for the boys and girls teams as a whole, Assistant Coach Mitchell Banh hoped that “both teams will win Pacific League Finals” and that “many individuals will be able to qualify for CIF Prelims and Finals.” Before those races are to come, however, both teams will need some fine tuning through some larger invitationals such as the Mt. Carmel Invitational, and the famed Arcadia Invitational, where the most qualified Track and Field stars in the nation compete.

While a number of events on both the girls and boys teams remain assets at competitive races, Assistant Coach Diana Banh believes “lack of commitment and focus” may be a hinderance for improvement. She even added that “problems like ditching keep happening, and [athletes] can’t improve if they don’t show up.”

With issues of commitment that hurt a portion of the team, one can only hope that the talent and focus of devoted athletes will bring success to the Track and Field team as its season continues through March and April. The team is currently undefeated, and is hoping to hold on to that impeccable record as it approaches tougher league meets ahead.