SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – St. Francis senior Ariane Arndt has committed to run track at Cal next season and will sign a National Letter-of-Intent with the Golden Bears program on Wednesday at the St. Francis College Commitment Celebration.

“When I went on my visit, everyone was so friendly; I loved the campus and area,” said Arndt.  “I really liked the school and got a good feeling from it. It is the No. 1 public school in the nation and has a wide variety of majors, which will allow me to explore different options and see what will be a good fit for me.”

Arndt, who is undecided on her major, is in the midst of the fall cross country season and will compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships this weekend with a berth at the state championships on the line. Her cross country participation, including helping the Troubadours to a third-place finish in the Division I state race last fall, helped set the stage for a big junior season on the track.

Arndt advanced to the state meet in the 800 meters for the second consecutive season, finishing 16th overall.  She helped the team win the Sac-Joaquin Section title for the second consecutive season and the Troubadours were the co-champions in the final Delta League standings.

“It was really exciting,” said Arndt of her track success. “I remember coming to St. Francis and telling my mom I was not sure how good I would be (in track). I always knew I loved running, but I never knew just how far it would take me.”

Arndt also broke two school records last season. She won the Arcadia Invitational title with an 800 meter school-record time of 2:10.05, a mark that ranked among the best in the nation. She also broke the school 400 meter mark in winning the section meet (55.35).

She has even bigger goals this season.

“I really hope to podium at state this year or make it to finals,” said Arndt. “Last year I made it all the way to state. Now it is my goal to take it the next step.”

Arndt will run for Director of Track and Field Tony Sandoval and distance coach Chas Davis, who see her running the 800m and possibly moving up to the 1500 or other distances in college.

“I met with the all the coaches and they are all on the same plan with me,” said Arndt.

With her annual progression, anything is possible for Arndt.