Under the leadership of new head coach Dan Ambrico, the boys’ cross country team has smoothly transitioned into the season as familiar faces continue to dominate on the track. Now, the team is focusing on achieving its goal of making it to the state competition at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Having a strong leadership role in the team are senior co-captains Garrick Chan and Kyle Fukui. Chan is doing everything from running intervals around the campus and local streets to doing strength workouts.
“We’re all bonded together and we all motivate each other during the workouts,” said Chan. “It’s our competitive nature that makes us want to work harder.”
Other major figures of the team include freshman twins Sam and Will Guy, who had impressive results in the recent race at Crystal Springs on Oct. 7. Will and Sam finished 2nd and 4th, respectively, in their divisions. Will finished in a time of 17:37 while Sam was able to complete the course in 17:49.
“We’re working really hard to get everyone better, and we’ve really improved over the season,” said Sam. “We’re just trying to make that last push to get to state.”
Chan says that injuries affecting sophomore David Zarrin and himself are the main problem for the team right now. Zarrin has battled Planpar Sasciitis, which give him constant foot pains when he runs. Due to Zarrin’s injury, the team lacks a strong “fifth man.”
Chan has been hampered by injuries and hopes to overcome these difficulties in the coming weeks.
“Coach and I agree that I have stuff left in the tank,” said Chan. “The reason my race was what it was is because of low competition and my sore ankles.”
Although Chan has been recovering, he admits that he is “still in pain.”
“I’ve tried to use many methods to cure my ankles, but not all of them seem to work,” he said.
The team also raced in the Lynbrook Invitational on Oct. 27, but due to printing deadlines, the Falcon could not report on the results. They also compete in the VAL Crystal Springs finals on Nov. 2 before racing at CCS Nov. 13, where the team must place as one of the top three teams in order to qualify for the state competition.
