Arden Lassalle: Cross Country's Rising Star

Alison Guh and Ben WeillerStaff WritersCheering crowds filled the stadium at Estancia High School as sophomore runner Arden Lassalle took home first place in the sophomore race, breaking a 10-year school record.The Woodbridge Invitational race commenced on Friday, Sept. 9th at Estancia High School. Arden Lassalle ran the three-mile race in a record time of 15 minutes and 37 seconds, breaking a 10-year school record.“Arden had a good lead and passed three people in the last half mile of the race,” sophomore runner Brooke Weiss recalled.Less than a week later, Arden continued to dominate, claiming first place in the boys’ varsity race at the first meet of the Ocean League held at the dusty and hilly Kenneth Hahn Park.“It was a hard course but training can overcome anything,” Lassalle said. “Overall, it was an insane race.”Lassalles’s running career first started when he joined the after-school track program at Lincoln Middle School. He then went on to join the Samo Cross Country team as a freshman, and has been running ever since. These wins are an enormous victory for Lasalle, who is only a second-year runner.“Arden is really living up to his potential,” Boys’ team captain, Andrew Capron, said. “We expect big things from him in the upcoming races.”As an athlete, Lassalle runs with the team at practice, as well as running on his own some days after school. On average, he typically does a total of around seven to eight miles a day.“Arden is one of the most hardworking people [I know],” Junior Alice Wasserman said.Besides enjoying the running itself, Lassalle feels part of the Samo cross country team and has many close friends and teammates that enjoy running just as much as he does. Lassalle feels that the Samo cross country team is an irreplaceable part of his high school experience.“Cross Country is one of those nice, tightly knit communities,” Lassalle said.The cross country dynamic is a benefit not only to Lassalle, but to the whole team. This community dynamic helps to maintain the athletes’ morale.Lassalle’s recent victory has inspired the new members of the cross country team to work hard and put their best foot forward.“Its going to be a close, competitive season with Beverly,” Capron said.Lassalle’s recent domination has inspired the team as well as lifted the cross country runners morale. They now continue to press on with renewed determination, as they face foes such as the Beverly Hills High Normans.“Having Arden win his race has inspired and motivated us all to have an unforgettable season,” senior Alberto Jarrin said.aguh@thesamohi.combweiller@thesamohi.com