Walking into a Cuthbertson track practice doesn't feel like stepping into an ordinary high school practice-it feels like stepping into a powerhouse. With hundreds of student-athletes, the sheer size of this program is overwhelming. Yet, somehow, the Cuthbertson coaching staff manages the chaos with near perfection.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Dustin Allen, this program operates like a well-oiled machine. Athletes are divided into event-specific training groups, working closely with knowledgeable coaches who specialize in their events. Even with the distance runners out on an easy run, when I was at practice the track was completely full
But Cuthbertson's success isn't just about numbers or talent-it's about culture. When speaking to coaches and athletes, one word kept coming up: family. With a program this massive, you'd expect some level of disconnect, but that couldn't be further from the truth. At practice, the camaraderie was obvious-athletes weren't just showing up; they were fully bought in, pushing each other, putting in the work, and having fun while doing it. This isn't just a team-it IS a family built on a foundation of hard work, accountability, and belief in something bigger than themselves.
Of course, when you've won as much as Cuthbertson has, expectations are sky-high. This is a program where anything less than a state championship feels like a disappointment. Even Coach Allen admitted that last year's title loss was a "blessing," refueling the team's motivation and reminding them never to take winning for granted.
And speaking of dominance -- Cuthbertson's résumé speaks for itself:
2 Boys Indoor State Titles
1 Boys Outdoor State Title
3 Girls Outdoor State Titles
7 CONSECUTIVE Girls Indoor State Titles
Even in their so-called "off years," they're still championship contenders. Year after year, Cuthbertson isn't just in the conversation-they're setting the standard.
This isn't just a program. It's a dynasty.