Trisha Lai
Ajani Romero warms up at the Arcadia Track Meet.
Athletes from across the country stepped up to the runway, and all the cheers from the stadium crowd went quiet. Lights illuminated their silhouettes as they got into starting position. One by one, they all took a deep breath in and waited for the resounding boom of the starting gun cracking through the air.
From April 11–12, Gabrielino High School proudly sent two top athletes to compete at the Arcadia Invitational, one of the nation’s most prestigious high school track and field meets. Held annually at Arcadia High School, the elite competition draws the best student-athletes from across the country.
This year, juniors Ajani Romero and Nicholas Hoang earned their spots among some of the nation’s strongest competitors.
Ajani Romero competed in the Boys Long Jump Rising Stars division, placing 4th overall with a distance of 22 feet, 1 inch. Romero has been dedicated to track since the fifth grade and has trained in club programs throughout middle school.
“I missed a year or two because of COVID, but this is my seventh year competing,” Romero shared. “Most high school invites, they’re competitive, but Arcadia, it’s really like a production. There’s a big Nike Swoosh everywhere, and you’ll be walking by, and someone says, ‘That guy’s number three in the state.’ Or you see a state champion warming up right next to you. There were a lot of big names.’”
The process of qualifying for a meet as prestigious as Arcadia is no easy feat.
“There’s a minimum mark you have to hit. This year, it was twenty-two feet, which, for reference, is good enough to make CIF Masters. It’s a pretty high mark, so anyone who hits that mark can be submitted for consideration,” Romero explained.
Romero commented on his preparation leading up to the day of competition.
“Week of, we were really trying to focus and get a lot of practice in, but Wednesday and Thursday, I did nothing. I didn’t think about the long jump. I tried to stay as far away as I could. That way, on Friday I was fresh, not only my legs but mentally.”
Although his personal goal was to set a personal record, Romero walked away proud.
“It was fun to just be able to say ‘hey, I went,’ because not everyone gets to go.”
For Romero, the best part of the event was being surrounded by greatness.
“I was happy to go because it’s good competition. I was just trying to enjoy the experience and with all the great athletes that were around me, a lot of big names, some people broke some national records, watching that just kind of pushed me.”
Moving forward into the season, Romero is now shifting his focus.
“I’m just kind of taking it meet by meet. I’m looking at my other events now, with Long Jumps I feel pretty solid, so I’m trying to build up my other events now.”
Joining Romero was Hoang, who competed in the Boys 100-meter hurdles. Although it was his first time at Arcadia, Hoang approached the meet with calm confidence.
“I didn’t feel as much pressure as I usually do at other races.”
Hoang trains three to four times a week and endured rigorous training. For preparation, Hoang kept to his usual routine. “I listen to music and stretch. It gets me in a good mood before competitions and motivates me to win.”
Like Romero, Hoang’s goal was also to set a personal record. While he didn’t hit a PR this time, he walked away with valuable experience.
“It was a good experience and I look forward to doing even better next year,” Hoang reflected.