• All High School team members will run in every HS race for which they are qualified and eligible.

• Team "levels"  are Middle School, C, JV and Varsity.  A runner is placed on one of these teams for races dependent upon certain criteria determined by coaches. 

• All Middle School team members (6-8th) run in every MS race for which they are qualified and eligible.

Middle School athletes ‘Running up’

Any Middle School runner who has demonstrated readiness and ability  (by comparative time standards) as well as a personal dedication/willingness to step to the high school level races, will be considered or asked to participate in C or possibly JV events.  In unusual and unique circumstances, a demonstrated highly gifted Middle School runner, with recommendation by the coaches  (prior to or during the season) may register as a High School athlete and compete as a High School athlete and be eligible for lettering and participation in the Conference, Section and/or State Meet Teams.

Choosing between C and  Junior Varsity:

If a runner has demonstrated the readiness and willingness to run JV from C, they will be asked and have the option to accept or decline with meaningful consideration. Both C and JV events are typically unlimited field sizes, however a limit of 10 for JV can sometimes exist. Also, the C races are often 3200 meters ( 2 miles) and the JV races are the same as Varsity (5k).  

Choosing between Junior Varsity and Varsity:

 Some meets allow up to 10 Varsity (Applejack, Conference and the Griak for example). All other meets allow up to 7 runners in Varsity. These top 10 or 7 fastest times (same distance) from the previous meets will determine this selection. In the case of injury, illness or other circumstances that prevent a runner from competing or performing, a previous race will be used in place.  Subjectively,  the final discretion and decision is at the hands of the coaches.

Championship Teams:  

Conference Championships: The top 10 fastest runners from the most recent meets (respectively) will determine the Conference Championships Varsity squad. 

Section Meet Championships: The top 7 fastest runners from the Conference Championships will be the primary criteria (but not only criteria)  for the Section Meet Championships. Other season-long data and variables will be analyzed by coaches to determine tie breakers.  Only 9 runners can be designated for the Section Meet Varsity Team. Of those, only 7 run can actually Varsity in the meet.  All other athletes run JV (unlimited number). The 9 runners designated for the Section 1AA team are the only runners eligible to advance to the State Meet team.

State Meet Championships:  The Section Meet Team, which was the 9 runners selected prior to the Section Meet  (required my MSHSL Rules) will be the State Meet Team.  Of the 9 runners designated as the Section Meet Team, the top 7 performances from the Section Meet will be chosen, health permitting,  to run in the State Meet. The remaining 2 serve as alternates. Coach discretion will be used to evaluate the most ready and qualified to race. Scoring 5 runners gives some leeway with runners 6 and 7. Preference for these runners can be decided for example, by seniority as well as likelihood of having a breakout race or team rabbit role.