Photo courtesy of
Volume 62, Issue 4
Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA
December 2012
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Cross Country Victorious at Nationals
By ERIKA ZHENG & TERRI SHI Staff Writer
Objective: To reclaim the rightful title of Cross Country National Champions. Status: Conquered. They’ve done it again. The Boys Varsity Cross Country team seized the title of National Champions at Nike Cross Nationals (NXN). Hosted at Portland Meadows, Oregon, the Varsity squad consisting of freshman Phillip Rocha, juniors Estevan De La Rosa, Josue Gonzalez, Mahmoud Moussa, Bryan Ngo, Jarrick Wenslow, and senior Mitchell Pratt, blazed through the sloppy, muddy, and wet course with an overall team time of 89:26. Reloading and revamping the team after losing five of its top seven runners from last year’s 4th place team at NXN proved to be a challenge. However, the team worked harder than ever through the grueling summer training process to maximize the rate of improvement or “performance index” in the time that it was given. Josue believes that “all the hard work the team placed worked out in [its] favor.” No one expected Arcadia’s Varsity squad to rebound so quickly, but according to Mahmoud, the runners “found [their] stride as the season progressed and eventually became unstoppable.” Bryan thought that the “losses made the team members realize how hard they had to work, and throughout the season while other teams were peaking, the runners kept working harder and getting better, until they accomplished their goal.” Winning NXN proved once again that the guys were ready to conquer anything. Before going onto Nationals, the team pulled together at the CIF State Championships. On Nov. 24, our Apache runners reined in the impressive Division I title. They were led by Estevan and Mitchell, who finished 2nd and 3rd in the overall race, respectively. With almost every competition and win, the team continued its upward climb of improvement throughout the season. With stellar performances at the Woodbridge Invitational, Stanford Invitational, and the Mt. SAC Invitational, the Varsity squad is now coming together and gaining statewide and national respect at both State and Regional powers at each and every race. After bringing the national title back home to Arcadia and becoming “the first team to win twice at NXN,” the boys believe that the blood, sweat, and tears were all worth it in the end. For the Boys Varsity Cross Country team, the sport is a “lifestyle,” as Josue put it. And for Bryan, “Cross Country is like a dream; it’s where [his] goals and happiness come from.” Building the team back to being the best of the best seemed insurmountable, but it was possible for the Boys Varsity Cross Country team. Congratulations on bringing the national title back to Arcadia; Apaches represent! ezheng@apachepowwow.com tshi@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of COACH JAMES O’BRIEN
Inside this Issue It Pays to be Santa Claus: Delve into the secret world of Saint Nick salaries. How much do Santas get paid? You’ll be surprised. IN FEATURES (PG. 8) Photo courtesy of ABOOK.ORG
Supreme Court to Hear and Decide on Same-Sex Marriage: Mid-2013 promises serious judicial consideration on the national legalization of gay marriage. IN NEWS(PG. (PG.8)2) IN FEATURES Graphic courtesy of CONSERVATIVESOLUTIONS.CO