Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What expenses are covered by DeMatha?

What expenses are covered by parents/athletes?

When are health forms due and how do I submit them?

Note: Athletes are not permitted to practice or join an athletic team until all health forms have been submitted via the ATS portal.

My son is a freshman (or transfer). I have already submitted his health forms to DeMatha's Main Office as part of his admittance requirements. Am I also required to submit this via the ATS portal before he joins the cross country team?

Click HERE for step-by-step instructions.

Note: The instructions above are only meant for creating a new ATS account. If you have previously created an ATS account, please use that account. Do not create a new account. If you have difficulty accessing your account, contact the athletic training staff for instructions.

How do I create an Athletic Training System (ATS) portal account?

Note: Freshmen and transfers are not permitted to practice or join an athletic team until all health forms have been submitted via the ATS portal.

How do I pay fees for joining the cross country team?

Note: The $30 weight room fee is good for the entire school year (i.e., all three athletic seasons - fall, winter, and spring). If your son participates in another sport after cross country, please be sure to discuss with his winter and/or spring coach so this fee may be waived for their season.

I waited until the last minute to make an appointment for a physical, what should I do?

If you are unable to get an appointment with your physician within a reasonable timeframe (i.e. a day or two), you can go to a MinuteClinic (located within various CVSs). Remember to bring the DeMatha heath forms and your checkbook/credit card - no appointment necessary.

Are there cuts for cross country?

Yes, though very rare; athletes who put forth minimal effort or are a poor influence on their teammates will be cut, or at minimum suspended, from the team. Suspensions and cuts are not performance-based, they are based on effort, behavior, and/or academic eligibility concerns.

There are, however, performance thresholds athletes must meet before being allowed to compete at a meet in a DeMatha uniform. Athletes must complete a 5k in less than 30 minutes. Athletes who have not met this threshold will be allowed to remain on the team provided there are no effort or behavioral concerns, but will not be entered in a meet* until they reach that threshold.

*Exception: Though the WCAC Championship does not do this, some regular season meets vary in their order of events. If the JV race is the last event of the meet, these athletes may still be entered.

How do I know if practice is cancelled or if there has been a change in location?

Can I pick my son up from off-campus practice?

Yes; however, the bus leaves promptly at the conclusion of practice. If you are late, your son WILL NOT be left unattended. He will be brought back to DeMatha and you can pick him up there.

How do I let the coach know I cannot make a practice?

Athletes should text via Remind or send an email to Coach before practice begins. Your teammate is not responsible for communicating with Coach on your behalf (and neither are your parents).

What should I do if I am unable to attend a meet?

If I miss the bus, does that mean I cannot participate in the meet?

What should I bring to a meet?

Do I have to ride the bus to each meet?

Can I attend my son's races?

Can I take my son home after his race?

Note: If you want your son to carpool with another athlete or parent to a meet, the two sections of the Carpool form must be completed by the involved parties and given to coach before the day of the meet.

What is the policy regarding working with another coach or doing extra workouts on your own or with a parent?

How is a cross country meet scored?

How may athletes are in a typical race?

This can vary depending on the popularity of the meet, and whether it is a varsity or junior varsity race. Since varsity races are typically limited to seven athletes per team, they tend to be smaller in size than JV races, which often have unlimited entries and can range from 200 to 400 athletes or even more depending on meet attendance.

How come at some meets DeMatha is scored as a small school and at others a large school?

Some Meet Directors require information about the school (i.e., the number of students) along with a list of athletes who will be competing at their meet. Once these details are submitted, the Meet Directors place each school into the appropriate division (i.e. small school or large school). At most meets, DeMatha is considered a large school since its student population is over 800 (generally, 500 students is the dividing line), but some Meet Directors classify DeMatha as a small school - presumably because we are a private school.

Can I participate in another fall sport?

Since cross country practices occur at the same time as other fall sports, getting the required training to compete at one's best is not possible if the athlete's time is split between sports. Special situations may be considered after it is discussed with the coaches from each sport.

Can I participate in a school club during the cross country season?

If you are interested in participating in a school club, talk to Coach. If your club activities do not interfere with your commitments to the team (practices and meets), he will approve.

How long is a cross country race?

How many miles will I run in a week?

Will I train/race in all weather conditions?

Meets generally are not cancelled for inclement weather; however, individual races will be suspended, if not already in progress, for thunder/lightning. So long as conditions are not dangerous (e.g., high winds, heavy rain, lightning), the team will practice in inclement weather. When possible, practices will be moved indoors in the event of severe weather.

Am I required to get a locker in the Convocation Center locker room?

What should I do if I think I have an injury?

Can I drive to off-campus practices once school is in session?

How do I find the results of my race?