Greetings!

Thank you for your interest in cross-country. Cross country is a team sport ran by individual runners competing for the best overall team time. Though it is an individual sport, we focus on team energy and working together. Encouraging each other and building one another up is a huge part of this team. Our focus is to grow together & better our individual times as well as our team times. When we work together we will always be more successful.

Who can participate in cross country?

7th & 8th grade boys & girls who attend Maiden Middle school can participate. Virtual students can also participate in cross country as long as Maiden Middle is their home school. No running experience is necessary, we will build from current fitness levels.

Practices:

We will practice 3 days a week after school for 1 hour. Practice will begin at 2:45 & end at 3:45. Boys & Girls will practice together and attend the same meets. Students are encouraged to attend all 3 practices after school in order to compete in that weeks meet. If students are absent they are required to make up our practice from home. WEEKENDS: Runners are encouraged to run a fast mile on Saturday. It’s important to run often but also give your body a chance to rest & recover.

Meets:

Students will travel by bus to the meets. Meets consist of a 2 mile course where students will run while competing against other runners. This will be a relay style. Parents will need to arrange pick up at the meets or runners can ride the bus back to Maiden Middle & be picked up from there. Meets will be held on Tuesdays. Runners need to bring water.

What to wear:

Sneakers- preferably running shoes. T-shirt & athletic shorts are encouraged. Students can run in athletic pants and/or tops of their choice. Students may use running watches. Always bring a water bottle to practice & the meets.

Forms & Paperwork must be completed before students can participate:

• Sports Participation Form

• Copy of insurance card

• Concussion Form

• Covid19 Questionnaire Form

• Covid19 Consent Form

• Physical - (those returning athletes who had a physical completed in the date range of March 1, 2019 to May 1, 2020 have been granted a one-year extension) All upcoming 7th graders MUST HAVE an up to date physical on the NCHSAA form.

What are the expectations for my child?

1. Be dressed and ready at the specified time.

2. Attend all practices (team members need to let the coach know if they will be unable to attend a practice, an unexcused absence may result in your student not being able to race.

3. Be positive and enthusiastic during all practices and meets, and do your best.

4. Follow all school/team rules.

5. Safety first! The team runs on the area roads and sidewalks. Students are expected to be within sight and hearing distance the coach at all times.

6. All team masking and social distancing rules must be followed for the safety of all. 7. Students will not be required to run in a mask. Practices will be organized so that runners are socially distant. Runners may run with headphones.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to Coach Childress

Head Coach: Natalie Childress

Contact Info: Natalie_Childress@catawbaschools.net