DV Cross Country 2026 Info and FAQ

Please review all sections of the information and Q&A carefully. Contact details for the coaching staff are at the end of the page.

Mandatory Open Practices Begin July 23rd 

AIA Practice Begins Monday August 3th 

Practice Start Times 

Practice start times will be announced weekly on the homepage, 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:
Monday/Thursday/Saturday - 

• Varsity Group: 5:04–5:15 AM

• Veteran Group: 5:14–5:22 AM

• Rookie Group: 5:29 AM

Tuesday/Wednesday - 5:29 AM

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

Please note that as we approach November, early start times are very dark, and we may switch to after school practices on some days. Changes in practice times will be communicated in advance. 

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

Saturday long runs will take place at a local nearby park. Locations announced on the homepage of this site. 

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 7:50-8:00 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 7:50-8:00 AM.

Register My Athlete:

As soon as possible, please complete your Register My Athlete registration. All information and forms can be found here: 

Register My Athlete - Cross Country/Track Information

We will announce when the Participation Fee can be paid. As long as your registration says "Ready For Tryouts", you are cleared. 

FAQ: 

Q: I didn’t run with the team or the Ahwatukee Track and Field Club over the summer. Can I still be part of the Desert Vista Cross Country team this fall?
A: Yes, you can still join the Desert Vista Cross Country team even if you did not participate in summer training. While summer training is strongly encouraged to help athletes build fitness and acclimate to the heat, it is not required.

If you are joining us now, we will start you gradually in our Rookies training group. This group is designed to help new or returning athletes safely ease into running with training volumes that match their current fitness level.

Athletes who trained over the summer may be further along in their progression, but we will support your development and help you improve at your own pace. The most important thing is that you are here now and ready to commit to the season. We are excited to have you on the team.

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. Wristwatch with a stopwatch 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. Garmin watches are the most accurate, we've noticed some discrepancies with Apple Watches.
   
   

Race shoes- Racing shoes are not required but encouraged. Please get these early in the season so athletes can practice in them and break them in before the first competition.

Uniforms – All athletes will be issued a uniform top and bottom. Due to the design of the uniform, girls are required to wear a white sports bra under the uniform top. The issued girls’ shorts are standard navy Under Armour loose-fitting shorts. If a different style is preferred, athletes may wear their own plain navy shorts (a small white brand logo is permitted).

The issued boys’ shorts include a DVCC logo and must be worn as provided; athletes are not permitted to substitute their own shorts.

Q: What if I do another club sport?
A: We support multi-sport athletes and understand that participating in different activities can help you grow as a well-rounded athlete. Club sports can often be balanced alongside school athletics with open communication and careful planning.

If you are involved in a club sport or other outside activity during the cross country season, please talk to your coaches as soon as possible. We can help you evaluate whether it is a manageable combination and create a plan to keep you healthy and performing well. Trying to do too much without coordination often leads to fatigue, injury, or burnout. We are here to support you, but we need your commitment and communication to make it work.

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 (Arizona Interscholastic Association) race season runs from late August through late October, with the postseason including the Division I Southwest Sectionals and the D1 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 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 19.

We will depart Desert Vista 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 ~$200, depending on fundraising efforts for the season. Athletes will not be turned away for financial hardships. Discuss any issues with head coaches. 

This trip is a highlight of the season, a 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 team 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 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.