Joshua Chu, a senior at Ponderosa High and a California Division 3 all-state cross country honoree, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Oct. 7 in the Rob Brenner boys championship race at the 44th ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno. Chu boasts a personal-best 15:24.5 on the 5-kilometer layout at Woodward Park, placing sixth in the Division 3 state championship race last season. He also ran 14:13.9 on the 3-mile course at Orange County Great Park in Irvine to finish 16th in the Doug Speck boys sweepstakes race Sept. 16 at the 42nd Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America. Chu reflects on competing last year at the Rough Rider Invitational at Woodward Park and how much he appreciates the opportunity to return to the ASICS Clovis Invitational this season. He also analyzes the depth of the Rob Brenner boys championship field, including fellow Division 3 competitors Joshua Bell from Templeton, Omar Alsaidi and Jackson Oliveira of Oakdale, as well as reigning state champion Evan Noonan from Dana Hills, with the potential for the Dolphins to also have Godinez transfer Jayden Hernandez in the lineup for the first time this season. Chu also examines the postseason potential for Ponderosa in Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3 competing against reigning section and state champion Oakdale. He revisits the spring track season, where he clocked 9:00.35 in the 3,200 meters at the 55th Arcadia Invitational, in addition to finishing eighth in the 5,000 in 14:50.76 at Nike Outdoor Nationals at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Chu shares how important it was for his mental health for him to take time off from training following the spring track schedule and how he has learned to apply his motivation for his senior cross country and track seasons in a purposeful way. He also speaks about the balance of college recruiting and still focusing on his academic commitments, along with coordinating training, competition, rest and recovery, and how much he is looking forward to making his decision during the fall season. Chu also looks forward to challenging for a Division 3 state title Nov. 25 at Woodward Park and competing a national meet in December after just missing out on qualifying for the CHAMPS Sports (now Foot Locker) final with an 11th-place finish at the West Regional at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut last season.