DV Cross Country 2025 Info and FAQ

Summer Training Schedule – 2025

• Training begins Monday, June 2, 2025 with a week of OYO “home” runs.
  Athletes will be sent individual workouts to complete on their own that week.

• In-person team practices begin the week of June 9.

Practice Schedule

June 9 – July 1:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 5:29–7:30 AM @ Desert Vista

• Saturday: 5:29–7:30 AM @ Local park (location will be announced weekly)

July 1 – July 22 (leading up to the official AIA season start):

• Monday–Thursday: 5:29–7:30 AM @ Desert Vista

• Saturday: 5:30–7:30 AM @ Local park (location will be announced weekly)

Practice Start Times (Once School Begins)

Practice start times will be announced weekly, with the full schedule posted each Sunday.
Start times may vary depending on the length and focus of the workout—some days may require earlier starts to ensure training is completed before Zero Hour classes begin.

Typical Start Windows by Training Group:

• Varsity Group: 5:04–5:15 AM

• Veteran Group: 5:14–5:22 AM

• Rookie Group: 5:29 AM

All groups will finish practice by 7:15 AM each day.

Athletes should arrive early enough to be ready to start at their group’s assigned time—not just arriving at the gate.

Zero Hour Strength & Conditioning

Strength & Conditioning is highly recommended for all Desert Vista Cross Country athletes.
This class takes place immediately after morning practice and is designed to support distance runners with targeted strength, mobility, and injury-prevention work.

• Morning practice ends at 7:15 AM, at which time athletes enrolled in Zero Hour Strength & Conditioning will be dismissed to class.

• During class, athletes will complete:

  • Running-specific strength exercises

  • Assigned ancillary work (e.g., Lunge-Plank Matrix, Core Circuits, Stadiums, Hurdle Mobility)

  • Structured stretching and recovery routines

• Upon completing Strength & Conditioning, athletes will have access to locker rooms to shower and prepare for the school day.

Other Zero Hour Courses

If an athlete is enrolled in a Zero Hour class other than Strength & Conditioning, they will also be dismissed at 7:15 AM to attend that class.
Please note: Locker room access will open around 7:45 AM.

Not Enrolled in Zero Hour?

• Athletes not enrolled in any Zero Hour class will be dismissed at 7:15 AM.

• These athletes may be picked up or drive themselves home.

• They are expected to complete strength work, ancillary exercises, and stretching independently on their own time.

• Locker rooms will not be accessible until after 7:45 AM.

Incoming Freshmen

Incoming freshmen may enroll in Zero Hour Strength & Conditioning only if they complete the DV Summer Strength & Conditioning program.
This course is classified as “Advanced PE,” and requires prior experience with the movements and the ability to work independently in a structured environment.

Details about the DV Summer Strength & Conditioning program can be found below.

FAQ: 

Q: Am I required to run with the team or the Ahwatukee Track and Field Team over the summer to be part of the Desert Vista Cross Country team in the fall?

A: No, summer participation is not mandatory to join the cross country team in the fall. However, summer training is strongly encouraged for several important reasons:

• Training Progression: Our program follows a year-round training plan that gradually builds aerobic capacity and incorporates cumulative speed work. Starting in the summer allows athletes to progressively increase their training volume and intensity, aligning with the team's overall development strategy.
  
  

• Heat Acclimation: Training during the summer months helps athletes acclimate to Arizona's high temperatures, reducing the risk of heat-related issues when the official season begins.
  
  

• Injury Prevention: Athletes who do not participate in summer training will be placed in the "Rookies" training group at the start of the season. This group focuses on lower training volumes to ensure a safe and gradual introduction to the sport, minimizing the risk of injury.
  
  

While summer training is not a prerequisite, it provides a solid foundation that benefits athletes' performance and safety during the competitive season. We encourage all team members to take advantage of summer training opportunities to prepare effectively for the fall.

Q: What gear do I need?

A: A good pair of running shoes is essential. We recommend being fitted for proper running shoes at Sole Sports in Tempe. Other REQUIRED items: 

1. Reusable water bottle with your name written on it

2. Wrist watch with a stop watch feature. Garmin or Apple Watch is not required, a simple $20 watch will work. Garmin/Apple watches are helpful for running specific paces when we get further into the season. 

Q: What if I do another club sport? 

A: We support multi-sport athletes and know that being involved in different activities can help you become a stronger, more well-rounded athlete. That said, cross country is a demanding sport that requires consistent training, recovery, and focus—especially during the fall season.

If you're planning to do another club sport or activity during cross country (like club soccer, club cheer, dance, etc. ), it's really important to talk to your coaches ahead of time. We can help you figure out if it's a manageable combination and come up with a plan that keeps you healthy and performing your best.

Trying to juggle too much without a plan can lead to overtraining, fatigue, or injury, and we want to avoid that. We're here to support you, but we need open communication so we can do what's best for your training and well-being.

Q: What do cross country competitions look like?
A: Throughout the season, our team competes in 6 regular season meets, and every athlete on the roster will have the chance to race at each regular season meet. The official AIA season runs from late August through late October, with the postseason including the Division I Southwest Sectionals and the State Championship Meet, which are reserved for the top varsity athletes.

We’ll also participate in a post-AIA season race, the Nike Cross Regionals (NXR), at the end of November. This is a large, exciting meet that brings together teams from across the Southwest. Arizona is lucky to host it, and all athletes are highly encouraged to participate. Registration and fees for NXR are handled through our Booster Club and the Ahwatukee Track and Field Club.

Our regular season meets are held at local parks around the Valley and include multiple races separated by gender and division (Freshman, Open/JV, Varsity). Each race is 3.1 miles (5K). Meets are usually on Saturday mornings, though some may occur on Friday mornings/afternoons. The team travels to and from all meets together on yellow school buses provided by the school.

Q: I heard we go to California for a meet—is that true?
A: Yes! Every year, our full team travels to California to compete in the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, one of the premier high school meets in the country. This year, the meet will be held on Saturday, September 30.

We will depart Desert Vista on Saturday morning by charter bus, with races taking place late Saturday afternoon into the evening. After the meet, athletes will stay in hotel rooms grouped by grade and gender. On Sunday morning, the team will have breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy lunch and downtime at a local SoCal venue before returning home that afternoon.

The Booster Club covers a significant portion of the trip cost, but each athlete is typically asked to contribute $150–$200, depending on fundraising efforts for the season.

This trip is a highlight of the season—competitive, fun, and a great bonding experience for the entire team.
More details and information will be released as the season begins.

Q: What are the academic expectations for Desert Vista Cross Country athletes?
A: Academics come first. All Desert Vista athletes must maintain at least a C or better in every class in order to compete, as per school and AIA policy. We conduct weekly grade checks throughout the season, and any athlete with a failing grade (D or F) will be placed on an academic hold until grades improve.

Our coaching staff fully supports your academic success, and we’re here to help you manage your time and responsibilities. If you're struggling in a class, communicate early, and don’t wait until you’re ineligible to ask for help.

Q: Do I have to be good or have experience running to join cross country?
A: Not at all! You don’t need to be fast or have any prior running experience to join. Many of our athletes start cross country having never run more than a mile. With consistency and effort, we’ve seen runners go from absolute beginners to varsity-level athletes within a year or two.

We love developing runners of all ability levels. If you're committed to showing up, putting in the work, and being a supportive teammate, you’ll grow tremendously. Cross country is about progress, commitment to the process, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

Whether you're an incoming freshman or going into your senior year, you're welcome on this team—all grades and experience levels are encouraged to join!

Q: What is OYO?
A: OYO stands for "On Your Own." It refers to any run or workout that you're expected to complete independently on days when the team does not meet for official practice.

You can complete your OYO run by yourself or with teammates, as long as it’s within your household’s rules and safety guidelines. After completing your OYO run, you’ll be required to send a message to your coaches with your run details (distance, time, and any notes). The exact format and expectations for these messages will be explained at practice and included in the team handbook.

OYO runs are a key part of staying consistent, building fitness, and developing personal responsibility. You’ll only improve as much as your commitment outside of practice allows.

Q: What are the running groups—Varsity, Rookies, and Vets?
A: We divide our team into three training groups to help athletes progress safely and effectively throughout the season:

• Rookies – All new runners, regardless of grade level, will start in this group for their first season. The focus is on building a strong aerobic base and gradually introducing workouts.

• Veterans – Athletes who have completed at least one full season (including off-season training such as winter or summer) and have demonstrated consistency will move into this group.

• Varsity Training Group – This group is reserved for experienced athletes who have consistently trained year-round, are healthy, and not prone to injury.
  
  

Note: Being in the Varsity training group does not guarantee a varsity racing spot at meets. Likewise, an athlete in the Rookies group—such as a talented freshman—can absolutely race on the varsity squad if their performance and fitness support it.

We use these groups to adjust training volume and intensity appropriately for each athlete, ensuring steady development while reducing the risk of injury.