Let us tell you about our little Division 2 High School Track Program that sits in a little demographic pocket in Phoenix, AZ that is usually overlooked when it comes to our overall athletic Programs. We have one of the lowest student enrollments in the district, couple that with median household incomes below the average line, and students and athletes that are on government assisted meal programs, yet one of the most dominant Track and Field Programs in the State of Arizona over the last decade.

Our athletes are disciplined, focused and have a mental toughness that is not seen in high school athletes at their ages. Call it grit, determination, drive or perhaps an all-encompassing track program that has a purpose driven mission. This program sets the standard above all the others.

What’s our secret? It comes down to a simple principle of accountability to our coaches and to one another. Our head coach Airabin Justin is our secret sauce. Not many coaches have experienced the success coach AJ has experienced with bringing his athletes to the next level. AJ also has a gift of bringing in a cohesive supporting staff of individual coaches that are specialists in their field of expertise. Put all of these coaches in one pot and you have a secret sauce that not many high school track and field programs have anywhere in the country. Most of coach AJ’s athletes have gone on to experience Division I competition but most all of his athletes have achieved life’s bigger purpose in meaningful careers that have set them up for life’s success. We have doctors, nurses, engineers, business entrepreneurs and many other professionals that have evolved from this program. It is as rewarding to see these athletes add a positive influence in our society than to see his athletes achieve personal records (PR’s) in their events.

Most people ask what are the qualities of a good coach? Some will give an answer of a coach being positive, enthusiastic, supportive, focused, goal oriented, knowledgeable, respectful, patient or even a good communicator. I can tell you that most good coaches have these skills. What separates the good from the great is that the coaches like coach AJ are observant of every single individuals’ personalities and how to work within their learning capacity. The biggest differentiator from going from good to great is when your athletes TRUST in you. They trust in the process and they trust every word their coaches guide them on. Not many parents or spectators have an understanding of what this truly takes to know a child better than that child’s own parents.

What we have at North Canyon High School is nothing short of one word “DYAMIC”.