About

The Clarkston Cross Country program is composed of four teams:

Clarkston High School Boys
Clarkston High School Girls
Clarkston Junior High Boys & Girls (8th grade)
Sashabaw Middle School Boys & Girls (6th and 7th grade)

Clarkston High School Team

The high school team is made up of 9th through 12th grade students and practices at Clarkston High School. For more information about the high school team, visit the high school link.

Clarkston Junior High and Sashabaw Middle School Teams

The CJHS and SMS teams are club teams through the Clarkston Community Education office. The team is made up of runners from Sashabaw Middle School (6th and 7th graders) and Clarkston Junior High School (8th graders). We offer fall cross country from September through October. We also offer summer conditioning open to any sport athletes or to anyone who just wants something to do in the summer.

Fall Cross Country

The fall Cross country program starts on the second day of school (first full day). Practice is every day after school. You will want to have with you everyday your running attire, water bottle and a lock for the locker room. We practice on the school grounds as well as many subdivisions nearby. We also sometimes run at the high school and practice there. SMS meets after school in the 6th grade gym. CJHS meets after school in room 404. We compete against other schools in 8-10 different meets. There could be anywhere from a couple of teams up to 30+ teams at the same meet! The end of the season concludes with a team banquet.

Summer Conditioning

What is Cross Country?

The summer conditioning program is a great way to be introduced to cross country as well as condition for other sports. The program begins in late June and runs through mid August. Sessions will be held twice a week in the evenings at Clarkston High School. Practices invovle running on the CHS campus and other activites. Two of the sessions will involve bike rides. Workouts are held on the CHS campus; meet behind CHS next to the stadium. Come dressed ready to workout and bring a water bottle. Athletes are not required to attend every session. This program is for students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. See the announcments on our main page for details of how to sign up and which days and times each week we will be meeting.

Are you thinking about joining the cross country team? Wondering what the sport is all about? Visit our Guide for Prospective Runners and Parents for an overview of our program.

Guide for Prospective Runners and Parents

Meet the Coaches

Coach Larry Adams - CHS Boys

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Coach Kevin Breen - CHS Girls

Coach Jamie Rykse - CJHS

Coach Rykse first started coaching cross country his first year teaching (fall 2000). This was also the very first year for middle school cross country in Clarkston. Coach Rykse began at Sashabaw Middle School assisting former Coach Kenny. The next year, Coach Rykse took over the coaching duties from former Coach Gallagher at Clarkston Middle School (now Clarkston Junior High). In high school, Coach Rykse participated in water polo, swimming and track. His favorite event in track was the 800. Coach Rykse teaches math at Clarkston Junior High. Coach Rykse loves to run. Pre-kids he enjoyed running in 5K's, the Crim and one Marathon (Chicago).

Coach Matt Klaver - SMS

Coach Klaver began coaching cross country in 2009 as an assistant coach for the CHS Girls. In 2010, Coach Klaver took over the coaching duties at Sashabaw Middle School from Coach Kenny. Coach Klaver was also an assistant coach for the CHS Girls Track and Field team from 2009-2014. In high school, Coach Klaver ran cross country, track and field, and played baseball. Coach Klaver teaches math and science at Clarkston High School. When Coach Klaver isn't coaching he loves spending time at home with his family. Coach Klaver enjoys running, and in 2010 ran in the Boston Marathon.

Coach Brad Cross - SMS

Coach Cross began as an assistant coach for cross country in 2011 at Oakview Middle School in Lake Orion. During high school, Coach Cross ran both cross country and track. Throughout college, he coached both sports at the middle school level. Starting in 2017, he started teaching science at Sashabaw Middle School and coaching track as well. In his free time, Coach Cross enjoys spending time with his family and being outside. He is excited to be coaching cross country.