Asteroids Cross Country

AEF's Cross Country program will be starting up in the Fall or 2025-26 under our Middle School Sports program.

Alameda 'Asteroids' Middle School Cross Country 2023-24 season ended on a high note. Coach Debra Cramer wrote:

"We ended the Asteroids season with a lively game of Capture the Flag on Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 2024. Thanks to Kathryn Cianciulli for stepping up to organize and referee, and thanks to Colton and Alexis for being team captains. It was so good to see everyone running around and enjoying themselves. After the game we had pizza, fruit and the famous vegan chai spiced snickerdoodles that have been the unofficial Asteroid's mascot treat for years. Team photos and stats were distributed at that time.

Shout out to Coach Don who helped wrangle kids at all of our meets, explaining courses and providing on the spot timing, marking the course for the Crab Cove meet we hosted, and did the starting and timing. Thanks to Chafik, Sofia & Ryan's dad, who took our team photo and to the numerous parents who drove their kids and others to and from the meets.

It takes the whole community of students and parents to make this program successful!

I hope everyone will continue to run and will be joining their respective middle school track & field teams in the spring.

Thanks for a wonderful & memorable season!

GO ASTEROIDS!"

Alameda 'Asteroids' Middle School Cross Country Team is a fall enrichment program run by the Alameda Education Foundation. For many students, the AEF Middle School Cross Country program is their first foray into sports. Participating in cross country enables them to discover new talents and perseverance and grow as athletes. It also enables middle schoolers to get a taste of competing on a regional level before they reach high school. Students learn to challenge themselves, set goals, move out of their comfort zones and work hard towards a set goal. Many parents report that their students continue running after the season is over and that this experience gives them the confidence to take on other challenges in their athletic, academic and social lives.

Over 40 6th – 8th graders participate in cross country, coached by Debra Cramer and Don Porteous, Assistant Coach as well as other volunteers. The Asteroids compete against other middle schools in their league.

For more information on this fall after school program, please email AEF at info@alamedaeducation.org.

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
- Team selection should be made in consultation with side 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.
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