Welcome to Central Girls Track and Field. We are about to begin another exciting season, and there are a few rules and expectations that need to be defined to ensure both the safety and development of our athletes. Please review the following items:
1. Track is a team sport. We work very hard together to get better as a team. You, as an individual, are not above the team.
2. You are expected to be at every practice and meet. Every practice has a purpose for helping you improve as an athlete. If you have to miss you are expected to talk to a coach ahead of time so you can make up the workout, unless you are ill from school. I hate hearing excuses after the fact…be responsible. COMMUNICATION IS KEY!
2.5 If you miss practice without talking to a coach first, it will be considered unexcused. If you have unexcused absences you may lose the opportunity to compete or participate with the team.
3. You need to be prepared to go outside in all types of weather…rain, wind, sun, or snow. Sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers should wear sweatpants every practice, unless a coach gives permission to wear less. This is for your safety. Sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers should always have their spikes on hand.
4. We are going to be sharing facilities with the boys team and the middle school athletes. Please be kind and patient in working with others. Pay attention to where you are on the track or in the field and be aware of what others are doing around you.
5. Track is not a social event. We work hard every night to reach important goals. Stay focused. Stay active throughout practice and meets. Help with holding blocks, sweats, moving hurdles, retrieving implement or raking pits. Above all always encourage your teammates.
6. Keep yourself healthy. Get plenty of sleep, eat right, and drink lots of healthy fluids. Fueling your body with the wrong stuff can have very detrimental effects on your performance. Communicate with coaches if you are feeling run down, tired, or stressed.
7. You are busy with grades, family, school and personal activities, balance your time and prioritize, this is part of being an adult.
8. Know your body. Know the difference between injury and soreness. You will hurt sometimes, but it doesn’t mean you are injured. If you suspect you are injured tell a coach immediately, and see the trainer.
9. You are expected to ride the bus to and from meets. If you want to ride home with a parent please wait until the end of the meet to leave….be fair to your team. If you want to ride home with another athlete’s parent you must have a form filled out and turned into Coach Olson before the meet.
10. You should always be up and cheering at the meets. We are a team in competition, just because you aren’t running in a race or competing in a field event doesn’t mean you can’t help the athletes that are through encouragement.
11. Always be ready to compete in a meet situation. You never know when we will need you to fill in a relay.
12. Central Girls should always be the loudest and most supportive at track meets.
13. Know the meet schedule. Know the races you are in. Know about when you should start warming up. Know your heat and lane assignments. Pay attention to rules and exchange zone information. If you don’t know…. ask!
14. Check in with the coaches after each race. A lot of the time we will have something constructive to tell you.
15. Do not get hung up on times or distances. Focus on the race or competition. You can’t control the clock, but you can control your attitude and focus. Be aggressive, be competitive, and be tough.
16. Make sure our camp area is cleaned up after each meet. At the home meets please stay around and help pick up around the track and stadium.
17, In competition you may now wear jewelry. You may wear garments under your uniform, but they need to be a single solid color, and if you are on a relay everyone on your relay must have matching undergarments. Double check to make sure both you and your teammates are abiding by the uniform rule.
18. Lettering Criteria – to letter you must score as many varsity points as we have outdoor meets (not including state and districts). If we have 8 meets, then 8 points will earn a varsity letter. You receive 1/2 of the points scored in a relay (so if the relay scores 6 points you will receive three toward your letter). You must also finish the season in good standing.