Girls Cross Country

For many students at Arcadia High School, the first few months of school seem a lifetime, but to AHS’ Girl’s Cross Country Team, it’s the same length as the moment between the starting shot and the first steps of a race. Our girls have made their final kick to the finish line of their 2009 season, with results that have given AHS something to talk about.
The ladies of cross country raced at the annual Apache Invitational, held locally in Arcadia County Park on October 29th. The course record was broken by varsity runner and athletic prodigy junior Catrina McAlister with a time of BLANK. Veronica Yee, a consistent scorer on the varsity level, was the second runner to cross the finish line with an amazing time of 18:30, a personal best for the graduating senior and a storybook ending to her high school running career. Overall, Girl’s Varsity placed 6th among schools such as Trabuco Hills, Serrano, and Great Oak with excellent efforts by all.
On November 5th, the girls traveled to Griffith Park for Cross Country League Finals, racing over rocky uphills and winding through tree laden trails for what would be the final race of the season for many. After a rollercoaster season of triumphant victories and disappointing losses, the Varsity girls were only just defeated by rival school Crescenta Valley 40-42 in a close race for League Champions. While their efforts may have resulted in defeat, they were not completely without award. McAlister set a new record of INSERT TIME HERE for the Griffith Park course, and received League MVP and League Champion honors. Sophomores Alejandra Quintero and Iris Wang also kicked it up a notch for League Finals with impressive times of BLANK and BLANK. Despite the narrow loss to Crescenta Valley, the Arcadia Varsity girls did not give up without a fight.
In contrast, the Junior Varsity team tasted victory at the end of their incredible season, beating schools such as John Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, and solidified their status as League Champs for their division. While all JV girls raced admirably, junior Danielle Lee’s performance stood out as phenomenal, placing 6th in JV League and contributing greatly to the team’s success. The Frosh Soph team finished their season in 3rd place with sophomore Joyce Liao scoring 5th in League. The Frosh Soph runners experienced a mediocre season but, seeing the determination and rising talent in some of the runners, will surely improve by next season.
As the season ends for JV and Frosh Soph teams, a few runners have stood out from the rest for always giving their greatest effort, regardless if it’s a race or just a couple laps around the school. Freshman runner Janessa Lynn has truly dedicated herself to the sport, volunteering her house for team parties and negotiating t-shirt and sweatshirt deals for the team. While she may not be the top runner on the Frosh Soph team, she has given every practice and every race her best effort, and will surely become a dominating force over her cross country career. Another freshman who has earned the respect of her teammates is Frosh Soph runner Alice Yang, who on her first day fractured her finger in a weight lifting accident and couldn’t run until Sept. 22nd. Yang has since overcome these obstacles and risen in ranks to a scoring position in the Frosh Soph division with a personal record racing time of 22:16.
While they may have lost the battle, the war is not over. Girls Varsity runs again, hopefully not for the last time this year, at CIF Preliminaries on November 14th on Mt. SAC’s infamous course of steep and winding hills. Senior JV runner Ruodi Duan said, “This time we were closer to the League title than we've ever been, and we have a real shot at making it to CIF Finals.” Good luck ladies!

For many students at Arcadia High School, the first few months of school seem a lifetime, but to AHS’ Girl’s Cross Country Team, it’s the same length as the moment between the starting shot and the first steps of a race. Our girls have made their final kick to the finish line of their 2009 season, with results that have given AHS something to talk about.
The ladies of cross country raced at the annual Apache Invitational, held locally in Arcadia County Park on October 29th [Oct. 29]. The course record was broken by varsity runner and athletic prodigy junior Catrina McAlister with a time of BLANK. Veronica Yee, a consistent scorer on the varsity level, was the second runner to cross the finish line with an amazing time of 18:30, a personal best for the graduating senior and a storybook ending to her high school running career. Overall, Girl’s Varsity placed 6th among schools such as Trabuco Hills, Serrano, and Great Oak with excellent efforts by all.
On November 5th [Nov. 5], the girls traveled to Griffith Park for Cross Country League Finals, racing over rocky uphills and winding through tree landen trails for what would be the final race of the season for many. After a rollercoaster season of triumphant victories and disappointing losses, the Varsity girls were only just defeated by rival school Crescenta Valley 40-42 in a close race for League Champions. While their efforts may have resulted in defeat, they were not completely without award. McAlister set a new record of INSERT TIME HERE for the Griffith Park course, and received League MVP and League Champion honors. Sophomores Alejandra Quintero and Iris Wang also kicked it up a notch for League Finals with impressive times of BLANK and BLANK. Despite the narrow loss to Crescenta Valley, the Arcadia Varsity girls did not give up without a fight.
In contrast, the Junior Varsity team tasted victory at the end of their incredible season, beating schools such as John Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, and solidified their status as League Champs for their division. While all JV girls raced admirably, junior Danielle Lee’s performance stood out as phenomenal, placing 6th in JV League and contributing greatly to the team’s success. The Frosh Soph team finished their season in 3rd place with sophomore Joyce Liao scoring 5th in League. The Frosh Soph runners experienced a mediocre season but, seeing the determination and rising talent in some of the runners, will surely improve by next season.
As the season ends for JV and Frosh Soph teams, a few runners have stood out from the rest for always giving their greatest effort, regardless if it’s a race or just a couple laps around the school. Freshman runner Janessa Lynn has truly dedicated herself to the sport, volunteering her house for team parties and negotiating t-shirt and sweatshirt deals for the team. While she may not be the top runner on the Frosh Soph team, she has given every practice and every race her best effort, and will surely become a dominating force over her cross country career. Another freshman who has earned the respect of her teammates is Frosh Soph runner Alice Yang, who on her first day fractured her finger in a weight lifting accident and couldn’t run until Sept. 22nd [Sept. 22]. Yang has since overcome these obstacles and risen in ranks to a scoring position in the Frosh Soph division with a personal record racing time of 22:16.
While they may have lost the battle, the war is not over. Girls Varsity runs again, hopefully not for the last time this year, at CIF Preliminaries on November 14th [Nov. 14] on Mt. SAC’s infamous course of steep and winding hills. Senior JV runner Ruodi Duan said, “This time we were closer to the League title than we've ever been, and we have a real shot at making it to CIF Finals.” Good luck ladies!.

Let me know if I need to lengthen it.

For many students at Arcadia High School, the first few months of school seem a lifetime, but to AHS’ Girl’s Cross Country Team, it’s the same length as the moment between the starting shot and the first steps of a race. Our girls have made their final kick to the finish line of their 2009 season, with results that have given AHS something to talk about.
The ladies of cross country raced at the annual Apache Invitational, held locally in Arcadia County Park on Oct. 29th. The course record was broken by varsity runner and athletic prodigy junior Catrina McAlister with a time of 16:35. Veronica Yee, a consistent scorer on the varsity level, was the second runner to cross the finish line with an amazing time of 18:30, a personal best for the graduating senior and a storybook ending to her high school running career. Overall, Girl’s Varsity placed 6th among schools such as Trabuco Hills, Serrano, and Great Oak with excellent efforts by all.
On Nov. 5th, the girls traveled to Griffith Park for Cross Country League Finals, racing over rocky uphills and winding through tree laden trails for what would be the final race of the season for many. After a rollercoaster season of triumphant victories and disappointing losses, the Varsity girls were only just defeated by rival school Crescenta Valley 40-42 in a close race for League Champions. While their efforts may have resulted in defeat, they were not completely without award. McAlister set a new record of 17:33 for the Griffith Park course, and received League MVP and League Champion honors. Sophomores Alejandra Quintero and Iris Wang also kicked it up a notch for League Finals with impressive times of 19:04 and 19:15. Despite the narrow loss to Crescenta Valley, the Arcadia Varsity girls definitely did not give up without a fight.
In contrast, the Junior Varsity team tasted victory at the end of their incredible season, beating schools such as John Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, and solidified their status as League Champs for their division. While all JV girls raced admirably, junior Danielle Lee’s performance stood out as phenomenal, placing 6th in JV League and contributing greatly to the team’s success. The Frosh Soph team finished their season in 3rd place with sophomore Joyce Liao scoring 5th in League. The Frosh Soph runners experienced a mediocre season but, seeing the determination and rising talent in some of the runners, will surely improve by next season.
As the season ends for JV and Frosh Soph teams, a few runners have stood out from the rest for always giving their greatest effort, regardless if it’s a race or just a couple laps around the school. Freshman runner Janessa Lynn has truly dedicated herself to the sport, volunteering her house for team parties and negotiating t-shirt and sweatshirt deals for the team. While she may not be the top runner on the Frosh Soph team, she has given every practice and every race her best effort, and will surely become a dominating force over her cross country career. Another freshman who has earned the respect of her teammates is Frosh Soph runner Alice Yang, who on her first day fractured her finger in a weight lifting accident and couldn’t run until Sept. 22nd. Yang has since overcome these obstacles and risen in ranks to a scoring position in the Frosh Soph division with a personal record racing time of 22:16.
While they may have lost the battle, the war is not over. Girls Varsity runs again, hopefully not for the last time this year, at CIF Preliminaries on Nov. 14th on Mt. SAC’s infamous course of steep and winding hills. Senior JV runner Ruodi Duan said, “This time we were closer to the League title than we've ever been, and we have a real shot at making it to CIF Finals.” Good luck ladies!

722 words, can be cut if necessary. Now includes CIF Prelims info
For many students at Arcadia High School, the first few months of school seem a lifetime, but to AHS’ Girl’s Cross Country Team, it’s the same length as the moment between the starting shot and the first steps of a race. Our girls have made their final kick to the finish line of their 2009 season, with results that have given AHS something to talk about.
The ladies of cross country raced at the annual Apache Invitational, held locally in Arcadia County Park on Oct. 29th. The course record was broken by varsity runner and athletic prodigy junior Catrina McAlister with a time of 16:35. Veronica Yee, a consistent scorer on the varsity level, was the second runner to cross the finish line with an amazing time of 18:30, a personal best for the graduating senior and a storybook ending to her high school running career. Overall, Girl’s Varsity placed 6th among schools such as Trabuco Hills, Serrano, and Great Oak with excellent efforts by all.
On Nov. 5th, the girls traveled to Griffith Park for Cross Country League Finals, racing over rocky uphills and winding through tree laden trails for what would be the final race of the season for many. After a rollercoaster season of triumphant victories and disappointing losses, the Varsity girls were only just defeated by rival school Crescenta Valley 40-42 in a close race for League Champions. While their efforts may have resulted in defeat, they were not completely without award. McAlister set a new record of 17:33 for the Griffith Park course, and received League MVP and League Champion honors. Sophomores Alejandra Quintero and Iris Wang also kicked it up a notch for League Finals with impressive times of 19:04 and 19:15. Despite the narrow loss to Crescenta Valley, the Arcadia Varsity girls definitely did not give up without a fight.
In contrast, the Junior Varsity team tasted victory at the end of their incredible season, beating schools such as John Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, and solidified their status as League Champs for their division. While all JV girls raced admirably, junior Danielle Lee’s performance stood out as phenomenal, placing 6th in JV League and contributing greatly to the team’s success. The Frosh Soph team finished their season in 3rd place with sophomore Joyce Liao scoring 5th in League. The Frosh Soph runners experienced a mediocre season but, seeing the determination and rising talent in some of the runners, will surely improve by next season.
As the season ends for JV and Frosh Soph teams, a few runners have stood out from the rest for always giving their greatest effort, regardless if it’s a race or just a couple laps around the school. Freshman runner Janessa Lynn has truly dedicated herself to the sport, volunteering her house for team parties and negotiating t-shirt and sweatshirt deals for the team. While she may not be the top runner on the Frosh Soph team, she has given every practice and every race her best effort, and will surely become a dominating force over her cross country career. Another freshman who has earned the respect of her teammates is Frosh Soph runner Alice Yang, who on her first day fractured her finger in a weight lifting accident and couldn’t run until Sept. 22nd. Yang has since overcome these obstacles and risen in ranks to a scoring position in the Frosh Soph division with a personal record racing time of 22:16.
On Nov. 14th, the varsity girls ran again at CIF Preliminaries with hopes of finally making it to CIF after 30 years of missing the mark. While they gave their best effort, it just wasn’t good enough, placing 7th instead of in the top four teams, which would allow them to move on to CIF Finals.
And so ends the 2009 season of Girls Cross Country. Filled with ups and downs, but certainly not a lack of effort, the girls’ season culminated in a loss despite their hard work and determination. While this is the end of the race for the seniors on the team, the future looks bright, and hopefully the girls will succeed next year in reaching their goals. Until then, look for them on the track where they’ll be competing in long distance events in the spring track season, but don’t blink: you might miss them.