Our cross-country team is highly productive, which leads to success! Athletes at all levels consistently finish races with outstanding performances, reflecting their dedication and hard work. Something that sets this team apart is the strong sense of unity. Their commitment to growth individually and as a team drives them to overcome obstacles together. With continuous improvement and a positive mindset, our cross-country team doesn’t just run races but builds resilience, mental toughness, and lifelong relationships.

The team has made a very noticeable impact through the season so far. At the first meet of the season, many of our varsity boys finished sub 16:00 for the 3-mile, setting up for PR’s and victories the past few weeks. Throughout the past meets, both girls and boys have done an outstanding job medaling and stacking up wins. Leonard Arias ran 14:51, only 3 seconds away from Bonita’s school record. He is eager and ready to race again and hopefully make that title his.

The team has strong leadership led by their captains, Jonathan Fregsco, Leonard Arias, Sarah Butcher, and Esther Chan, who have all been on the team for 3 years. They strive to encourage, motivate, and be role models for the whole team, whether at practice or races. The day before meets, the team loves to gather and have team dinners to carb load, bond, and prepare themselves to lock in, dominate, and execute.

Ryan Litch, one of our fastest girls on varsity, has the mentality that “the faster you run, the faster you are done.” After talking to junior runner Charlie Zhou, he tells me that, “when the race gets tough, lock in and let your mind carry your body. It's all about the mentality you have, don't let physical pain be a reason to give up.”

Bonita’s cross country team is ready for the challenges ahead as they push toward CIF. Their league finals will be held at Chino Hills on November 7th, the decisive race that will determine their qualification. Every runner has been training with focus and discipline, staying committed to the team’s goals. With their hard work and dedication, Bonita is prepared to make a strong run at league finals in the coming month.