HPU Cross Country Builds on Consistency, Community in 2026

Hawai‘i Pacific University cross country is underway in 2026 with a 22-athlete roster and an emphasis on consistency, growth and building a strong team environment.

Head coach Kevin Schwarz joined Sharks Weekly alongside sophomore Drake Hanley and senior Darlene Alvarez to discuss the development of the program, the mental and physical demands of distance running and what lies ahead for the Sharks this fall.

For Alvarez, her journey to HPU cross country was anything but traditional.

The Miami, Florida native grew up as a swimmer and didn’t arrive at HPU intending to become a collegiate runner. She eventually found the sport after moving to Hawai‘i and is now in her fifth year with the program, providing experience for a team that includes several younger runners.

Hanley, meanwhile, came to HPU from Paradise Valley, Arizona, and has emerged as one of the Sharks’ top runners while balancing the demands of HPU’s nursing program. Schwarz praised the sophomore’s consistency, work ethic and performance in the classroom, where Hanley carries a 4.0 GPA.

That consistency has also become a major part of Hanley’s development as a runner.

Over the summer, he built his training to as much as 50 to 60 miles per week, focusing on developing a strong base while avoiding injury. It’s part of the adjustment to collegiate cross country, where the men’s race increases from the 5K distance commonly run in high school to an 8K.

For Schwarz, there are no shortcuts to making that transition.

“Consistency is the very best thing that you can do to help yourself to be a fantastic runner,” Schwarz said.

The mental side of the sport is just as important. Hanley recalled repeatedly coming close to breaking 20 minutes in the 5K during high school before changing his approach, running more by feel rather than focusing solely on his pace. The adjustment helped him break through the barrier — and eventually run under 19 minutes.

As the season continues, Alvarez has her own milestone in mind.

After injuries affected previous seasons, her initial goal was simply to make it through her final year healthy. With a strong start behind her, she’s now looking to push beyond that.

“I would like to perform well and get some best times,” Alvarez said.

For Schwarz, those individual goals fit within a larger vision for HPU cross country — developing runners while creating a program where being a good person and a good teammate comes first.

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