Updated: August 2026
2025 Toronto Varsity Blues Cross Country Selection Criteria
Tryout Dates:
Before arriving, all participants must have completed their
VBRS and
PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire)
- Must use your utoronto email
Tryouts for the Varsity Blues Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams will be on:
- Tuesday September 8, 2026
Please arrive early, prepared to register and warm up.
Tuesday September 8th, 2026
Location - Varsity Stadium
3000m Time Trial on the track
5pm – Women
5:30 pm – Men
Aim to arrive early enough to be warmed up and ready to go at the start times listed above.
Main Contact: Terry Radchenko -
t.radchenko@utoronto.ca
Selection Process:
Selection Process:
1. If an athlete has achieved the performance standards below within the last 16 months (2024 outdoor season to present) or is a first year confirmed recruit they will automatically be selected to the University of Toronto Cross Country Team, unless the number of athletes (by gender) who achieve the standard exceeds the roster cap. In this event, the final roster will be determined at the discretion of the head coach. (See section 3. Selection Standard)
1st or 2nd yr in school
Women - 1500m under 5 minutes or 3000m under 10:50
Men - 1500m under 4:05 or 3000m under 8:55
3rd year + in school
Women - 1500m under 4:55 minutes or 3000m under 10:40
Men - 1500m under 4:02 or 3000m under 8:50
- A Team Fee of $200.00 will be charged to each rostered and redshirt athlete
- Note, if a cross-country athlete is also rostered for the track and field team, the athlete will only pay an additional $150 for the track and field team - not an additional $350.
2. Any cross-country athletes who were among our top five scorers at either the 2025 OUA or U SPORTS Cross Country Championships will be named to both the 2026 Cross Country roster.
3. Time Trials
If the above standards haven't been met in the past 16 months, student-athletes will have an opportunity to hit the standards at the tryouts listed above.
4. Selection Standards
The standards above are subject to change to reflect the OUA depth/results and based on the number of athletes who achieve them and the number of roster spots available.
If the number of athletes (by gender) who achieve the standard exceeds the roster cap it will be left to the discretion of the head coach to determine the final roster.
If there are any roster spots remaining, these spots may be filled based on tryout performance, personal bests and the head coach's discretion.
5. Notification of Selection
Those selected will be notified either at the tryout or by email no later than 24 hours after the tryout.
6. Competition Standard (OUA and USports Teams)
Up to 10 men and 10 women will be considered for the out of province travel roster (if applicable), OUA, and U Sports Championships.
This will be determined by meet results, health, training performance and personal bests.
7. Coach Discretion
There will always be an element of the head coach's discretion when determining the final team roster selection and those competing at meets and at the OUA and U Sport Championships.
8. Requirements To Maintain Roster Standing
It is expected that all Varsity Blues Cross Country student-athletes will comply with the following:
- All information contained in the Varsity Blues Expectations of Behaviour.
- Student-athletes are expected to attend all practices and training sessions under the exclusive guidance of the University of Toronto coaches. If these sessions conflict with an academic responsibility (class, lab etc.), the student-athlete and coach will work together to find an alternative practice/training session to make up for the one missed.
- Unexpected personal difficulties arise. Should you have a situation that will require an absence from practice/training, contact your coach to let them know so you can make arrangements to make up the training/practice. Unexpected personal difficulties include illness, work, academic issues, etc.
- It is important for clear lines of communication between the student-athlete and the coach and between the coach and all the student-athletes. Should an athlete miss practice or training, it is a show of respect to let the rest of the team know. This can be done without breaching confidentiality.
