Cross Country/Boys

In a sport like cross country, you get out what you put in. Hard work is required, but hard work can be fun, especially once it is over. A positive attitude and a willingness to push yourself are all that is required.”

—Mark Ravaglia, head coach

Why join the cross-country team at HPA? Head coach Mark Ravaglia thinks the answer is simple.

“Running is an activity to carry you through life. We were born to run—just look at any child. Running helps grow your mind and your body,” he says. “Cross-country allows for a great team dynamic. Everyone races as a team, but everyone also races against themselves.”

With the benefit of training on one of the most challenging cross country courses in the state at a high elevation (2,670 feet above sea level) with hilly terrain, the boys program has built a tradition of winning, having captured five state titles.

The HPA program strives to make good runners great. However, coaches are well aware that in a school of our small size, cross country may not be an athlete’s primary sport. In fact, our varsity teams last year featured a state champion swimmer and handfuls of state champion soccer players.

Coaches promise to do their best in maximizing every athlete’s fitness, strength and speed for whatever athletic challenges await them in the future. Furthermore, they are perfectly willing to work with runners who have legitimate cross-training commitments such as club soccer or club swimming.

Upper school cross country course
Upper School cross country course.

Head coach
Mark Ravaglia

Recent championships
BIIF: 2021, 2013
State: 2015, 2014