Hart Summer Practice

To view the photo gallery of practice, click HERE

We visited Hart High School, home of the Hawks, in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles for their Saturday hill repeats. The team ran to a neighborhood near the school ran a loop with a serious hill. Afterwards, the team went out for their traditional Saturday morning pancake breakfast.

Coach Darren James of Hart High School shared information about his team.

During the summer, how often does the team meet?

We practice Monday through Saturday all summer with the exception of the two week CIF Dead Period.

What are some special summer activities?

We have team breakfast every Saturday after practice. 

We have a local XC Summer Series that we run once or twice as a time trial to reset training groups.

We spend a week in Flagstaff training at NAU at the end of July.

How do you build team culture?

Clear expectations and accountability

Returning athletes are critical to culture building

Emphasize and strongly manage group running

No team captains, everyone has responsibility to lead in their own way

Summer activities, especially Flagstaff, build strong team culture

What are some events that the team is looking forward to in the fall season?

Everyone loves the flat, fast races at Cool Breeze and Woodbridge

Defending our League Title streak.

Ultimately, we're excited to be a team that competes at CIF every year. Excited to return to State.

After practice we spoke with Sasha, Julia, Nicolas and Jameson about Hart High School Cross Country.

What are some of the highlights of the summer for Hart Cross Country?

Sasha: Morning workouts that are really hard.

Julia: Track workouts.

Nicolas: Gong to Flagstaff and doing our altitude camp.

Jameson: I really like waking up early at Flagstaff and waking up early and doubling up there sometimes and just enjoying the moment.

What are things that you look forward to in the cross country season?

Sasha: Woodbridge Invitational because it is a really fast course and I can get a good time there.

Julia: I like Mt SAC because the hills are fun.

Nicolas: I like Woodbridge and State because they are fast and fun.

Jameson: I am really looking forward to Cool Breeze and Woodbridge which are first two invitationals of the season.