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2026 DVCC Season Informational Meeting - Tuesday 5/19/2026, 6:00-7:00 PM in Thunder Room, located in the DV Cafeteria. Enter from main student lot off of Frye.
Come out and hear from the coaching staff about the season (racing schedule, practice schedule, etc), get important dates and hear about summer training opportunities and team camps!
Participation in Summer Training or Team Camps is NOT required to participate in the AIA Desert Vista Cross Country Season.
Summer Training: Ahwatukee Track and Field Club
Team Summer Camps:
Girls Camp, 9-12 July
Boys Camp, 22-25 June
2026 DVCC Season: Information and FAQ
Summer Weight Lifting information:
Athletes who are planning on coming out for Cross Country in the fall are also encouraged to participate in our summer weightlifting program, geared towards preparing for the Cross Country Season. Participating in Summer Training Club is not required to participate in weight room training.
@ DV Weight Room, Tuesday/Thursday - 6:00-7:00 PM
2026 DVCC Informational Meeting:
Who: New and Returning DVCC Families
When: Tuesday, May 19 6-7pm
Where: DV Cafeteria
Info Presented: Summer training information, changes for 2026 Season, California trip information (basic info at this time), schedule, training philosophy, and a class on college recruiting. Ed Villarreal (father of a Class of 2026 athlete) will lead a discussion on the college recruiting process from a parent's perspective.
Desert Vista Athletic Registration
Athletes will not be allowed to participate in school practice after August 3, 2026 without being cleared in Register My Athlete (RMA). Once all paperwork is submitted, the DV athletics office needs to manually go through and check each athlete's profile and verify the documents submitted. This can be time consuming for all fall athletes, so the sooner the documents are in, the easier it will be to get cleared and there will be no issues for the first day of practice. For new athletes, you will need a copy of your birth certificate, make sure you have this available. Everyone will need an updated physical.
Register My Athlete Paperwork: AIAOnline
For new incoming athletes, you will need to create an account in Register My Athlete (RMA), the system Tempe Union HS District uses for processing eligibility.
For returning athletes, you will need to update your paperwork in RMA.
Desert Vista Cross Country Registration Fee
A $50 participation fee will be assessed to each athlete's student account who participates in the 2026 Cross Country Season. This fee is paid to the Desert Vista Book Store, prior to the first competition of the season.
Desert Vista Cross Country Head Coaches
Email: jshearer@tempeunion.org
Coach Jessica Millanes Shearer enters her fifth year as Head Coach with the Desert Vista Cross Country program for the 2026 season and also serves as Head Coach for Track and Field. A proud Thunder alum, she graduated from Desert Vista in 2000, where she captained the Cross Country team for three years and contributed to multiple state championships in both Cross Country and Track, including the school’s first girls state title.
After high school, Coach Shearer competed in Cross Country at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana while also beginning her coaching career. She later served in the United States Marine Corps, completing two tours in Iraq. Her military experience shaped her approach to coaching, emphasizing discipline, resilience, and leadership while developing athletes as confident, well-rounded individuals.
Under her leadership, Desert Vista programs have continued to thrive, with both track and field teams earning runner-up honors at the 2024 Division I State Championship and the girls cross country team finishing as state runner-up at the 2022 and 2025 state meets.
Off the track, Coach Shearer and her husband Rob, a retired Marine, are proud parents of two daughters, Evelyn (DV Class of 2029) and Cecilia ("CC," DV Class of 2030). Evelyn is a member of the Desert Vista Cross Country team, and Cecilia will join the program for the 2026 season. Their family is actively involved in athletics and regularly fosters dogs, reflecting shared values of dedication, compassion, perseverance, and teamwork.
Email:
khancock@tempeunion.org
Coach Kyle Hancock steps into his role as Head Coach of the Desert Vista Boys Cross Country program for the 2026 season, continuing a lifelong connection to the Thunder community. A proud Desert Vista alum, Coach Hancock graduated with the Class of 2003 and was a key contributor to one of the most significant milestones in program history as a member of the 2002 Boys State Championship team, the first in Desert Vista boys Cross Country history. During his time as an athlete, he established himself as a dedicated competitor. He ran 16:03 in the 5K, graduated ranked No. 2 on Desert Vista’s all-time list, and earned recognition as one of the original members of the Sons of Thunder.
After his time at Desert Vista, Coach Hancock continued his academic and personal journey at Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Lorna. Together, they have built a strong and active family, raising seven children who reflect their shared values of commitment, perseverance, and faith. Two of their children, Jesse and Feliha’a, are current members of the Desert Vista Cross Country program, further deepening the Hancock family’s connection to the team.
Professionally, Coach Hancock works as an aircraft engine control systems engineer, bringing a high level of precision, problem-solving, and analytical thinking to his coaching. His ability to break down complex systems and focus on details translates directly into his approach with athletes, helping them develop both technically and mentally in their training and racing.
Coach Hancock’s return to Desert Vista as a coach reflects a full-circle commitment to the program that helped shape him. Since joining the staff in 2023, he has played an integral role in developing athletes and fostering a culture built on accountability, consistency, and pride in the Thunder tradition. As he steps into the head coaching role, he remains dedicated to mentoring student-athletes and continuing the legacy of excellence that defines Desert Vista Cross Country.
Full Circle Leadership
Coach Shearer and Coach Hancock share a unique history that spans generations of Desert Vista Cross Country. As former teammates who were both coached by longtime Desert Vista coach Coach Hanson, they experienced firsthand the culture and tradition that define the program. Over a 31-year career at Desert Vista, Coach Hanson built one of the most respected programs in Arizona and was recognized multiple times as Arizona Coach of the Year.
Now, as they lead the team together, Coach Shearer and Coach Hancock carry that legacy forward. In a true full-circle moment, their own children will compete alongside each other in the 2026 season, continuing the Thunder tradition.
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