Welcome to Kealing Cross Country and the Hornet Run Club!

Fall 2026

Kealing Cross Country and the Hornet Run Club are open to runners of all levels. Our goal is for everyone—from beginners to competitive runners—to improve their fitness, achieve personal goals, and learn to love the sport of running.

There are no tryouts. All students are welcome to join our teams as they defend their AISD championship titles this fall. We can't wait to see new and returning runners out there.

Contact Coach Brant Speed with questions: brant.speed@austinisd.org

All Grade Levels Welcome

Kealing Cross Country Team: Seventh and Eighth Grade

Kealing Cross Country is a University Interscholastic League (UIL) sport open to seventh and eighth graders. All costs are covered by AISD. There are no fees for seventh and eighth grade runners.

Hornet Run Club: Sixth Grade

All sixth graders are welcome to join through the Hornet Run Club. Members participate in the same cross country practices and are welcome to compete in most meets. Fees include a dry-fit team t-shirt ($10) and meet entry fees (around $10 per meet). Scholarships are available.

Sports Physicals

Every runner must have a current AISD physical on file before attending any practice or pre-season training run this summer. Please schedule your runner's physical soon. Contact Coach Speed if your student needs assistance from the district to obtain a physical.

• All runners: Access the AISD Physical Form and schedule a physical. Then, return the completed form to Coach Speed by email or hard copy.

• Seventh and eighth graders: Also complete the RankOneSport form, available at the same link.

Practices

• When: After school from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. We’ll post the practice schedule on the website once it’s available.  

• Where: Meet near the Kealing track at the back of campus. We occasionally head into the neighborhood when enough parent volunteers are present.

• What to bring: Cool, comfortable clothes, running shoes, and a water bottle.

• Getting home: Runners can take the late bus or be picked up. If you're picking up, please arrive by 4:30 p.m. or plan to find your runner at Think Tank (in the cafeteria).

• Commitment: The level of commitment is entirely up to your family. We'd love to see runners at every practice and meet, but we understand that middle schoolers participate in multiple sports and other activities. Come when you can.

Cross Country Meets

We participate in four to five meets from September through mid-October. All races are two miles long. Meets are optional, but they're a lot of fun and a wonderful way for runners to get to know one another. We'll post the full schedule on the website once it's available.

Volunteers Needed

Parent support is essential to ensure the season runs smoothly. Here are some ways to get involved.

• Run with us. Join us at practice, regularly or whenever your schedule allows. With 40 to 60 runners, extra adults are always welcome.

• Help at practice. Watch bags in the shade or stand at checkpoints along our course while runners are out on the route. You can work from a camping chair while you volunteer.

• Serve as team treasurer. This is an incredibly important role. Help us by tracking fees via Venmo, PayPal, check, or cash; writing checks for meet costs and coach stipends; and transferring remaining funds to the school account.

• Become our team manager. Help coordinate volunteer sign-ups and plan team celebrations, including an end-of-season party and hopefully a pre-meet pasta dinner.

More volunteer opportunities will come up as the season gets going. Thank you in advance for any support you can offer!