Junior Varsity (7-9th grade) and Varsity (10-12th grade)Boys and Girls Cross Country
Questions and Answers for Parents and Student Athletes
Why run cross country?
1. Running is a healthy recreation/sport and is a terrific lifelong activity to help manage stress, body weight, and to improve your overall wellbeing!
2. Over the past four years, many of our runners have been awarded athletic scholarships to various college throughout the country. Compared to other sports, distance runners are in demand at the collegiate level. Running or aerobic fitness is the basis for other sports so it will definitely improve your game!
3. Everyone on the team participates (no one is benched)
4. Participating in XC counts for academic credit in PE as long as you also enroll in another spring sport (indoor/outdoor track, soccer).
5. Cross country has the lowest membership fees compared to other varsity sports.
How does Huntsville High’s cross country compare to other Class 7A programs across the state?
Our girls’s team won the AHSAA Class 7A Girls Cross Country State Championship in 2016 and have won the Regional title championships over the past 4 years!Our boys team are the dominate returning team in Northern Alabama having won the Regional championship last year. Over the past four years, many of our athletes have been awarded athletic scholarships to compete in college.
What kind of fun activities does the team do other than training?
Our cross country team is a fun-loving, healthy, and really smart bunch of kids. We are students- first; athletes- second and areamong Huntsville High’s best in academics. We love team dinners, team movies, parties, camping, swimming, and just hanging out and having fun!
How far are the races for junior and varsity teams?
2 miles for Junior Varsity and 3.1 miles for Varsity
Do junior varsity and varsity athletes train the same?
No! Our program philosophy is to develop young athletes gradually over time. We encourage athletes to train year-round in order to accomplish this goal. Athletes are prescribed,according to age and fitness levels, different training regimes and routines. We offer free training at Monte Sanothroughout the summer.
Can junior varsity athletes participate on the varsity team events if they are good enough?
Yes. Regardless of class standing, we select our top varsity sectional and state team based on performance. We don’t however “over-race” junior varsity athletes prior to the end of the season, so junior varsity athletes will race primarily as a junior varsity until they are ready to race a 5k at the end of the season. We had JV athletes on our state teams last year.
When are the practices?
Startingthisfall cross country varsity practices will be held during first block and after school Monday-Friday. Junior varsity practices will be held only after school at 3:30 pm-5:00 pm at either John Hunt park or Monte Sano.
Is there summer training?
Summer conditioning is encouraged but not mandatory. Athletes are free to come and go as their summer plans permit. Starting May 29, 2017, we will meet 9:00am-11:00am at Monte Sano, Monday-Thursday throughout the summer.
How are the teams selected?
Coaches will select junior and varsity teams based on a variety of factors- space availability, character, discipline, grades, participation and attendance, and multiple time trials throughout the summer.
When are the first “try-outs” or time trial?
May 9, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm, John Hunt Park. We will hold a one mile time trial for junior varsity and a 2 mile time trial for varsity. EVERY STUDENT TRYING OUT MUST SHOW PROOF OF MEDICAL CLEARANCE OR HAVING A PHYSICAL EXAM WITHIN ONE YEAR. Please download this form, entitled “Physical Form” off the Huntsville City School website and give to your primary care doctor and submit to Coach Bryant or Coach Borden.
CONTACT INFO:
Download “Groupme” app on your cell phone and provide to Coach Bryant or Coach Borden your name and cell phone number so we can add you to our HHS Distance Runners Group. This is the best mode of communication for summer training.
Head Cross Country Coach: Lea Bryant 256-201-2296 email:
Head Track Coach: Terrance Young email:
Assistant Coach: Blake Borden 256-714-0836 email:
Assistant Coach: Alissa Fisher 256-503-9625