May The Course Be With You!
2025-2026 Cross Country Season
AEF's Cross Country program will be starting up in the Fall of 2025-26 under our Middle School Sports program. This program is open to students who are enrolled in Alameda Unified and Charter public middle schools (grades 6 - 8). Student-Athletes compete on one team representing Alameda against other middle schools in their league.
2025 Asteroids’s Season Recap
Alameda 'Asteroids' Middle School Cross Country season has come to a close and we are so proud of all our athletes for all their hard work this season.
This season, our Asteroids competed in an early season scrimmage, three official meets with the East Bay XC League, and a final IntraSquad Mile Race. All results have been uploaded here! We had a very competitive team this year with other coaches echoing that sentiment at meets as many of our Asteroids placed in the top ten finishers of every race. Thank you to our coaches - Peter, Mike, and Don - for all their hard work making sure this season was a positive experience for all our Asteroids. And thank you to all our Asteroid families for coming out to meets to cheer on our runners.
We hope all the Asteroids enjoyed their time on the team this season and we look forward to seeing you back for the Track & Field season in the Spring!
All players must register with AEF Sports!
The deadline to register is Thursday, September 4, 2025. You must request a scholarship prior to registration. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having trouble or need to request a scholarship!
Team Selection
- Parents/guardians must complete and sign a Liability Waiver (downloadable PDF) and turn it into the coach prior to practicing.
- All registered students will be eligible for the team but registration will be capped at 50 participants.
- All registration is ONLINE through AEF’s online registration system.
- Please be sure to register during the registration period - NO registrations will be allowed after the deadline.
- 2025-2026 non-refundable participation fee is $195 per student per sports. Scholarships are available (see below).
- Scholarships need to be requested PRIOR to registration.
- Cancellations are permitted until the end of the first week of practice (August 28, 2025) and can be made via your account on ACTIVE Online Camp and Class Manager. A credit will then be applied to your AEF account minus a $20 processing fee and $20 cancellation fee. Credits DO NOT expire and can be used to register for any AEF activities via ACTIVE, however in the event your student is an 8th grader and will not be registering for future activities via ACTIVE please reach out to [email protected] for alternatives.
Scholarships for Middle School Sports are available as follows:
- Student/family is enrolled in a California State assistance program – 90%
- Student/family qualifies for assistance under the McKinney-Vento Act, Alameda Point Collaborative, or similar program – 100%;
- For parents or guardians requesting assistance but who are not covered under the above conditions, please contact AEF at [email protected].
To request a scholarship for your student, please click here and fill out the online form. Upon completion of the application form you must scan/email proof that your student is enrolled in a California State assistance program. The scholarship will not be approved until proof is received. You MUST send within 48 hours of completing this form. We will not follow up and ask for the proof. It is your responsibility to get this to us. Scan and email it to [email protected].
Cross Country Venues
The Asteroids Cross Country team participates in a total of four meets per season. One meet will be hosted at Jean Sweeney Park and the other three meets will be held outside of Alameda at the following locations: Joaquin Miller Park, Miller Knox Regional Shoreline, and Lake Temescal. Please see the schedule above for further information regarding locations and transportation to away meets.
AEF's Guiding Principles for Middle School Sports
Program Principles
- Health and Safety
- Adherence to applicable COVID and/or other health or safety protocols.
- Recognition that social emotional health can be supported through a positive sports environment.
- Focus on Equity
- When applicable, team selection should be made in consultation with site administrators with consideration of who would most benefit from team participation.
- Inclusivity is an important value of the program.
- Sites will actively reach out to students who may not be reached in regular outreach efforts.
- Rules may be modified or developed to support the developing student-athlete.
- Team/individual recognitions provided to support life-skills like sportsmanship, integrity, and grit.
- Preparation for high school
- Academic and behavioral tie-ins.
- To participate in AEF Sports, AEF requires that student-athletes have a 2.0 minimum G.P.A. with no single grade of an 'F' as of the most recent site grading term. If you have questions about grades or school performance, please contact your school site Athletic Director or Administrator.
- Academic and behavioral tie-ins.
- Equitable Participation in Sports
AEF follows CIF (CA Interscholastic Federation) and AUSD policies regarding equitable participation in sports. All students are eligible to participate in AEF sports programs regardless of sex or gender. In sex-segregated teams, students may participate consistent with their gender identity.
Player, Parent/Guardian, and Spectator Code of Conduct
In an effort to make our sports program a positive experience for all student-athletes, AEF has established basic Code of Conduct requirements for students, parent/guardians, and spectators. Your school site may have additional requirements. Please be familiar with these and support the positive development of our youth by adhering to these.
Click here for the Player Code of Conduct
Click here for the Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
Click here for the Spectator Code of Conduct
IMPACT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS – CROSS COUNTRY
Thanks Coach Debra for these photos; and thank you for the entire season where you have been an amazing coach/mentor and friend to our kids.
Thank YOU so much for a great season! My student enjoyed the program so much, he is really motivated to continue running.
Thank you again for the great season. My son says he would like to run in the spring (and summer!). We’re glad he found something he likes to do.
Thank you for hosting a fabulous meet. My student’s team had a blast on the very scenic course.
My son has gained a lot of confidence and enjoys running, thanks to this program. We are very grateful to you and Don for offering this opportunity to the kids. Thank you so much.
Your program is amazing! Thanks for showing these kids all the fun of XC!!! I appreciate that you do all that on top of coaching the kids, organizing the meets, and figuring out the carpool. My son has gained a lot of confidence and enjoys running, thanks to this program. We are very grateful to you and Don for offering this opportunity to the kids. Thank you so much.
Thanks so much for your dedication! Love the character building and fitness for my student.
“Hi Coach Debra! I just wanted to tell you thank you for everything. From how much I’ve improved to the knowledge I’ve learned. I have to admit that in the beginning, I wasn’t the most excited about running, but the more I kept going the less I complained and started looking forward to it. Running is a mental sport that requires a strong, positive mindset rather than a fast body. sin this is the case, I find that you’re an extremely admirable person for your commitment to this sport that brings … Read more