Mission Viejo Cross Country
About MVXC
Cross Country is an individual sport in a team setting where everyone can shine, compete, form lifelong friendships, develop resilience, overcome obstacles, and reach new personal heights. Join our team and discover a sport where your dedication and hard work pays off!
Why Join The Team?
- Everyone competes, no bench 👍
- Meet new people and make new friends
- It is a great stress reliever after school
- It looks awesome on a college resume
- Get faster & stronger
- Get in shape for their winter sport
- It looks awesome on a college resume
- Get cleared for all sports for the whole year
- Make friends with upperclassmen before school starts
- Keeps you fit and healthy
- Fun trips and team bonding
- Positive individual & team sport
- Helps build character and confidence
- Program is focused on academic and athletic success
- It is a ton of fun!!!
Mission Viejo Cross Country (MVXC)
Mission Viejo Cross Country isn’t just about running — it’s about becoming. Our program is rooted in hard work, team culture, and personal growth. At MVXC, everyone trains, everyone competes, and no one gets left out. There are no benches, no sidelines — just athletes showing up daily to become the best version of themselves, on and off the course.
Success here starts with three core traits: attitude, effort, and coachability. You don’t have to be the fastest on day one — in fact, many of our top athletes didn’t start at the front. What set them apart was their willingness to work, grow, and lead. With consistency and buy-in, you’ll go further than you thought possible.
Cross country (abbreviated XC or CC) is a competitive team sport where athletes race over natural terrain — dirt trails, grass, hills, and pavement — usually covering 3 miles (5,000 meters). Athletes compete both individually and as a team, aiming to finish with the lowest score possible (like golf, lower is better). Each runner’s place equals their score, and the first five runners' places are added for the team total.
It’s a sport that demands endurance, mental toughness, and strategic pacing, but it also rewards resilience, consistency, and heart. From first-time runners to future champions, MVXC is a place where athletes are challenged, supported, and pushed to compete with purpose.
Mission Viejo High School Cross Country has a proud history of excellence. The program has earned championship recognition in league, CIF, and State Championships, while producing athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. More than just a team, MVXC is a platform for student-athletes to grow, lead, and build lifelong friendships.
This is Mission Viejo Cross Country.
This is where athletes grow.
Team History
TBC
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Updated FAQ Link
Q. What is XC- what does it stand for?
A. XC stands for cross country. It is an aerobic sport originally designed to get track athletes in shape for the spring track season. Today it is its own sport, with a rich tradition and great opportunity for runners of all abilities to come together to form a team. Most races in the California high school season are 3 miles.
Q. When does practice officially start?
A. Practice begins after our “Dead Period”, two weeks when coaches and athletes are not allowed to meet. Summer practice times are typically in the morning Monday – Saturday.
Q. What Paperwork do I need to have done before my child can practice?
A. You need to complete AthleticClearance and a physical
Q. My child wants to do XC, but is in a club sport. Can they do both?
A. Yes! We can usually make out a practice/meet schedule that allows athletes to do a club sport. It isn’t always perfect, but it usually works well if the parents and athlete are committed to making it work. Contact coach.
Q. We have a family vacation planned this summer. Can my child still join the team even though they will be gone for part of the summer?
A. Yes! We realize freshmen athletes will be in and out during the summer. The most important thing is to try to get their running in while they are gone if possible. We work with vacation schedules. Varsity level athletes should vacation before XC starts. Communication with coaches is important and appreciated so we know where athletes are at during team practices.
Q. My child hasn’t done any running this summer. Should they still try to join the team?
A. Yes! Most of our incoming 9th graders have very limited running experience at the start of the season. We train all athletes at their ability levels, but it definitely helps to come in with a summer of consistent running though. We want each student-athlete to have the best experience possible and preparation is key!
Q. Where should I go to get my child running shoes?
A. The best local running stores would be RoadRunners and Snails Pace. They will help find the right pair of shoes. Tell them you run for Mission Viejo XC and they will give you a discount.
Q. What types of shoes do they need?
A. They need 2 pair of shoes. 1 pair for training and a 2nd pair for racing. These are called training shoes and racing flats.
Q. What is the donation amount for XC, and when do we need to pay?
A. The amount varies per year depending on the costs of uniforms, entry fees and coaching stipends. Our sport is self-funded and we believe that the student-athletes are well-represented and feel proud of their sport. Donations are due at the beginning of the season.
Q. What is the XC season?
A. The regular XC season is divided into two parts: summer xc June - August and fall xc September - November. The top 12 varsity athletes will qualify for postseason through November/December, selected by the coaches.
Q. What can I do as a parent to be a part of the program?
A. Join our Parent Support Group (PSG) and sign up to help out at events like Orange County Championships, Awards Banquet, Team Area Set Up, Video/Pictures, etc. Our first PSG meeting will be listed on the website sometime in August
Get Started
It's Never Too Late or Too Early to Get Started
No experience required! All you need is a positive attitude, consistent effort, and a willingness to be coached. If you're ready to grow, compete, and be part of something bigger than yourself, cross country is for you. We'll help you with the rest.