Cross Country
Junior: Gr 3-6 Senior: Gr 7-9 Elite: Gr 10+
Our Cross Country Program is one of the strongest and most comprehensive in Ontario, with specific programming at three different levels ensuring that training is focused, and age/developmentally appropriate. We have dominated elementary board championships, and produced individual and team medalists at the provincial, national, and even international level. Cross Country is a TEAM SPORT and our athletes thrive in this supportive and competitive environment.
Who This Program Is For
Distance Athletes
Athletes who specialize in 800, 1500, and/or 3000 m during track and field make great cross country runners and focus on cross country training during the Fall months from August to November.
Team Players
Cross country is a team sport just as much as hockey or soccer. Every member is valuable and can benefit from being a part of the team and training with like-minded teammates who push each other towards new personal bests.
JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GR 3-6):
August to November 2026
HEAD COACH: Al Deschamps
ASSISTANT COACH: Holly Deyarmond
Our Jr Development Cross Country team resumes at the end of August with training on track, hills, and at parks/trails through the school season and then focusing on club championships. Athletes train 3x a week plus participate in a weekly long run and additional strength training.
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GR 7-9) and ELITE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (Gr 10+):
August to November 2026
HEAD COACH (BOYS): Steven Fife HEAD COACH (GIRLS): Matt West
ASSISTANT COACH (BOYS): Adam MacDonald ASSISTANT COACH (GIRLS): Robyn Hartley
ASSISTANTS TO BOTH GROUPS: Philes Ongori, Kathleen O'Connell
Our Senior and Elite Development Programs work in collaboration with one another to best support athletes in grade 7-9 and grade 10+. While some workouts are integrated, we have separated these programs into separate boys and girls divisions due to different needs (development, mileage, social) and physical demands to provide focused coaching and an environment that empowers and allows all athletes to thrive.
The groups resume training in mid/late August with three weekly sessions involving training on track, hills, and at parks/trails. Sunday long runs and weekly strength/mobility/core training supplement the primary running sessions and help to develop the whole athlete.
Athletes first compete in their school season (elementary board championships or SOSSA/OFSAA for high school), then club championships, followed by national or international championships for high-performance athletes and/or top ranked teams.
TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL CROSS COUNTRY ACCOLADES
2026
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13/14 Year-old Boys - AAU Gold Medalists @ AAU National Championships in Knoxville, TN
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Provincial Team Medalists:
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Provincial Individual Medalists:
2025
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U16 Boys - National Champions/ Gold Medalists @ Athletics Canada Cross Country Nationals (ACXC)
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13/14 Year-old Boys - AAU Bronze Medalists @ AAU National Championships in Charlotte, NC
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15-18 Year-old Girls - AAU Silver Medalists @ AAU National Championships in Charlotte, NC
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Provincial Team Medalists:
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Provincial Individual Medalists:
2024
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13/14 Year-old Boys - AAU Silver Medalists @ AAU National Championships in Tallahassee, FL
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Provincial Team Medalists:
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Provincial Individual Medalists:
2023
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13/14 Year-old Boys - AAU Silver Medalists @ AAU National Championships in Tallahassee, FL
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Provincial Team Medalists:
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Provincial Individual Medalists:
Benjamin Bayne
2000 m: #2 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
Sam Cools
800 m: #4 in Ontario, #7 in Canada
1200 m: #5 in Ontario, #8 in Canada
Connor Shaw
60 m Hurdles: #2 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
U16 (Grade 9):
Messiah Ishmael
High Jump: #3 in Ontario, #4 in Canada
U17 (Grade 10):
Savannah Rodgers
Shot put: #2 in Ontario, #4 in Canada
Weight Throw: #1 in Ontario , #2 in Canada
Keaton Bokma
Weight Throw: #2 in Ontario, #4 in Canada
Jordan Gillen
Weight Throw: #1 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
Nixson Scarlett
60 m Hurdles: #1 in Ontario, #1 in Canada
Alan Tirop
200 m: #4 in Ontario
400 m: #2 in Ontario
U18 (Grade 11):
Amairah Gayle
Long Jump: #2 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
High Jump: #1 in Ontario, #1 in Canada
Maeva Scipio
400 m: #1 in Ontario, #4 in Canada
60 m Hurdles: #1 in Ontario, #1 in Canada
Owen Currie
600 m: #1 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
Alexander Kenny
400 m: #1 in Ontario, #1 in Canada
Lemuel Sraku-Antwi
60 m: #1 in Ontario, #1 in Canada
200 m: #1 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
Samacki Thomas
Long Jump: #2 in Ontario, #2 in Canada
U19 (Grade 12):
Mico Penich
Triple Jump: #2 in Ontario, #3 in Canada
Performance Support
Strength & Conditioning
Optional strength training sessions to complement event-specific work
High Performance
Regular progress monitoring and consultation with High-Performance Coordinator throughout the season
Competition Planning
Strategic meet selection and season planning for optimal performance