Arcata High’s Cross Country teams competed in their final event of the season, the Humboldt Del Norte League Championships at the Arcata Marsh on November 16th, 2024. Arcata competed in three races: the Men’s 5,000 Meters for Junior Varsity (JV), the Men’s 5,000 Meters for Varsity, and the Women’s 5,000 Meters.
Junior Gianni Orlandi came in first in the JV Men’s 5,000 Meters race with a time of 17:59.00, a personal record (PR). Arcata took nine out of ten of the top ten placements. Second place went to junior Rowan Magnuson with a time of 18:44.30. In third, sophomore Christopher Bogar timed 18:56.50. Sebastian Amaro, an AHS freshman, came in fourth at 19:32.40. Sixth place went to freshman Cedar Bunch Cramer. Junior John Adams placed seventh followed by freshmen Jeremy Long and Brayden Ford, who came in with a PR of 21:06.00. Rounding off the top ten was freshman Tyce Hird.
The race challenged many individuals.
“I felt tired at about two miles in but I kept going,” Orlandi said.
Junior Anthony Trieu said the race was easier than regular practices but still difficult.
“It was pretty fun overall,” Trieu said, “[especially] when I crossed the finish line.”
Arcata accomplished much in the men’s varsity race as well. Of the top ten spots, senior Levi Browne came in second at a PR time of 16:36.30. Sixth saw sophomore Evan Poston at 17:03.60. Junior Ocean Walker came in with a time of 17:33.10 in seventh, and sophomore Caden Demers placed eighth at 17:43.50.
All girls running cross country competed in the 5,000 Meters Varsity race, as they don’t have enough members to have both JV and varsity teams. The top ten spots saw Arcata’s sophomore Zoë Cappuccio in second place with a PR time of 21:49.40, junior Sydney Ventuleth at 22:40.00 in sixth place, sophomore Sonya Chisholm with a PR time of 22:54.60, eighth-place sophomore Nehla Espiritu-Blackstone at a 23:03.00 PR, and freshman Quincy Kelly at 23:11.00 in ninth.
Anna McLaughlin, a junior at Arcata High, enjoys running the course because of the scenery.
“The marsh is pretty,” she said. “It was a great season. I might not have run my fastest at all of the meets but I had fun.”
Congratulations to all our Tigers who finished out the season strong!
