Leaving the 2024 season’s laps behind, the Rancho Cucamonga High School cross country team raced into the new 2025 season, pushing themselves in preparation for the challenges ahead. Practices are in full swing, while the athletes and coaches have their eyes set on making it to CIF and going far.
The team faces a competitive schedule ahead, with a few races already behind them and several more meets on the horizon.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, during the PR City Invitational, the RCHS cross country team placed 13th in Southern California. The grind continued at the Baseline League preview with freshman Emily Bell and senior Andres Arreola taking first place in both varsity races on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
“We’re already starting off strong; our number one boy, Arreola, broke the school record this past weekend in the first cross country race,” Lizette Carrel, the cross country coach, said.
Arreola broke the previous school record of 14 minutes and 47 seconds, which had been in place for 10 years. His record was running three miles in 14 minutes and 45 seconds. His achievement energized the team and set the bar high for the rest of the season.
Like Arreola, the runners have been working towards this season’s success. Members of the cross country team are focusing on building endurance, improving speed, aiming to become league champions, and strengthening teamwork.
“We go to a cross country camp, and we spend a week in Big Bear Disney team bonding, and set some goals for the season, and the kids are really excited about that,” Carrel said.
Camp is not the only thing the team members are looking forward to this season.
“I hope they notice how much we’ve progressed since last year,” senior Jacob Ortiz said.
Fresh off an injury, Ortiz has been working hard and pushing himself during the team’s early morning runs. He said he is excited for RCHS to see the results of the team’s dedication.
“If I were to describe the team vibe in one word, I would say beautiful or uplifting,” senior Brooklyn Helper said.
In their most recent race, RCHS placed first with runners freshman Bell and senior Evan Anderson taking first place in the three-mile run at the Chaffey XC invitational on Sept. 27. Bell and Anderson finished on top by running three miles in 17 minutes, 20 seconds and 15 minutes, 21 seconds, respectively.
