With stormy skies and anticipation, Arcadia Varsity Track participated in the Pacific/Rio Hondo Challenge Varsity Track Meet on Mar. 5. As the track meet season continues, the Varsity Track team practices endlessly to build up their speed, endurance, and techniques. Track meets are the places for them to show off their capabilities and push themselves to the limit. With many ups and downs in the Pacific/Rio Hondo Challenge Varsity Track Meet, Varsity Girls placed 1st overall, with a score of 108.5, and the Varsity Boys placed 2nd overall, with a score of 98.

Overall, the Arcadia Varsity Track team performed very well, even if many members mentioned that the bad weather held them back. Despite this, however, they managed to push through, with multiple PRs and 1st place titles. For example, senior Sy’rai Yarborough, who placed first in the 100 meters, and senior William Kelley who placed first in the 800 meters, managed to outrun all their competitors. Full results can be seen on the Athletic Net.

When asked how the Pacific/Rio Hondo Challenge Varsity Track Meet was, many participants stated that while it was not their best, Arcadia as a whole still did amazing.

Senior Jacob Flores, who ran the 4×100 relay, 400 meters, and 4×400 relay, said, “One thing our team can improve on is technique. I find that our team has natural talent, but hard work can beat talent. If we can learn to use proper techniques, we can improve a lot.”

Sophomore Elizabeth Chan, participating in the pole vault, triple jump, and long jump, agreed that along with working on their technique, improving on the field events and the specific events for each person, expressing how “Something the team could work on is having more practice doing our field events.”

Other than the improvements to be made, the Arcadia Varsity Track team has just as many strengths. The highlight of the meet, according to multiple participants, was the 4×400 meter relay, since the team was able to recover the lead when they were behind. With the freezing weather, morale was fairly high, and Arcadia pushed through.

To prepare for the meet, the Varsity Track team has a whole list of things they do. Preparing for a track meet isn’t just a physical thing; it’s a mental challenge as well. Even before the track meets, participants make sure never to eat anything heavy, and to attend all the practices leading up to the meet.

Junior Irene Lema Madueno also mentioned how she wanted “to work harder and more efficiently during practice.”

In addition, track is a very injury-prone sport, so many participants work endlessly to recover from their injuries as fast as they can. They also focus on their warmups, which give their minds a chance to prepare themselves, and their bodies a chance to loosen up.

The Pacific/Rio Hondo Challenge Varsity Track Meet had definitely given many people the motivation to work for their goals.

For instance, Chan’s goal is “to understand pole vault better and break 32 ft for triple jump.”

And Flores’ goal was “to just improve on my time and not focus on what place I get.”

Whether their performance was disappointing, or if they broke a PR, these athletes are determined to work even harder to do better in the future.

Photo courtesy of DCI