2024 Schedule
Day/Date Meet Site Time
Mon/Aug 12 Start Practice Royalton H.S. 8:00AM
Thurs/Aug 15 SCSU/Endurunce Shop St. Cloud 9:00AM
Sat/Aug 17 Osakis Time Trial Osakis H.S. 9:15AM
Thurs/Aug 22 Mississippi River Park workout 8:00AM
Fri/Aug 30 Maple Lake Invite Robert Ney Memorial Park 9:00AM
Thurs/Sept 5 Holdingford Invite Holdingford H.S. 4:00PM
Mon/Sept 9 Long Prairie Invite Long Prairie Country Club 4:30PM
Mon/Sept 16 Pierz Healy Invite Pierz Golf Course 4:15PM
Thurs/Sept 26 St. John’s Prep Invite Radio Tower Field 4:00PM
Tues/Oct 1 Hinckley-Finlayson Meet Grand National Golf Club 4:00PM
Tues/Oct 8 Royalton Home Meet Royalton H.S. 4:00PM
Tues/Oct 15 Conference Meet Holdingford H.S. 4:15PM
Thurs/Oct 24 Section 5A Meet Grand National Golf Club TBD
Sat/Nov 2 State Meet Les Bolstad Golf Course, U of M, St. Paul TBD
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
Rules and Expectations
Attendance
It is important for you and your teammates to be at every practice and meet in order to develop a strong team. Practice will begin at 3:30 with warm-ups. This means that you are dressed ready to go by then. Don’t be late! Make cross country a priority. Practice will end around 5:00.
Practice is a requirement, and unexcused absences will greatly impact your participation in meets. Excused absences are understandable, however if they are frequent and affect your performance, they may impact your participation. School comes before cross country. With that said, there are hours in the day when you can get your school work done, do chores/family duties, have a job, and still get a good night’s sleep.
Excused Absences are things that cannot be scheduled around cross country. Here is a list of possible excused absences: 1. Illness 2. Family emergency 3. School or Church function
Excused absences must be cleared before you miss or it is considered unexcused. It is important that if you have to miss, you still attempt to get your workout/run in for that day! Having a friend or teammate inform the coach of your absence is NOT acceptable. Make sure you send your coach an email, or a message on TeamReach. If you are sick, bring a note to the next practice or meet.
Unexcused Absences are things that you CAN and SHOULD schedule around cross country. Examples: appointments, work, shopping, haircuts, babysitting, etc.
The penalty for an unexcused absence is: you miss the next meet but are still expected to attend and do a workout that day.
***In case of injury, you will still be required to come to practice, do your physical therapy/rehab, and attend meets, unless there are special circumstances. You are still a part of the team and we need you there!***
Practice and Meet Conduct
During both practice and meets, you will conduct yourself accordingly. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. This includes swearing, negative attitude, lack of cooperation and respect with coaches, athletes, and/or meet officials, and inappropriate actions towards other teams. You are expected to behave appropriately on the bus, at the host site, and at any other stops we make. You may be asked to leave the team if your behavior and choices affect our TEAM.
Be on time for practice and bus departures. As with unexcused absences, unexcused tardiness will impact your participation in meets. All athletes are required to ride the bus to the meet. The only exceptions are pre-approval from the principal and signed consent. You are allowed to ride home with PARENTS only if you notify your coach AND your parent will be asked to sign you out. Note: Team-building happens on the bus, so it’s encouraged that you always ride the bus to and from meets. This has been a pretty big issue for Royalton kids. There shouldn’t be a whole lot of sign outs. Stick around and support your team.
Come with a “team player” attitude and an open mind! Try running with different people other than your close friends. As coaches we are trying to push you to be your very best. This in turn will help our team flourish and grow. Be prepared to give 100% every day.
At the meets it is your job to get your mind and body to run the best race you can. Looking for golf balls and causing mischief (throwing acorns, wrestling) does not show the focus of our team. The team camp area is a place to put your stuff and relax before your race. If you are done for the day, walk around and cheer on your teammates.
Drugs and Alcohol
Athletes are expected to take good care of themselves and are looked at as role models, and WILL NOT use alcohol, drugs, e-cigarettes/vaping, or tobacco. Not only are these substances illegal, but they will negatively impact your performance! The MSHSL and the Royalton School Board have set rules and consequences regarding the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, but consequences can exceed this. A team captain in violation will lose his or her role as the team captain. Athletes will not be eligible for a varsity letter. Also, keep in mind, when you are sitting out for your punishment, not only are you losing valuable practice time, but you have lost the trust your coach and teammates had in you.
Athlete/Coach/Parent Communication
If an issue arises, please take a moment to step back and look at the big picture. Remember there are many athletes who at times will compete for the same positions. There are only 7 spots on a varsity roster. Coaches have the best interest of the student-athlete and the team in mind when making decisions. If, after thinking logically, you cannot accept the coach’s decision, then the following steps NEED to occur in this order:
1. Athlete discusses situation with the coach
2. Parents and Athlete discuss situation with the coach
3. A meeting can be arranged with the coach, athletic director, parent(s), and athlete present
Please do not approach the coaches after a meet. Use the 24-hour rule: wait before sending a message or making a decision when emotions are high or the issue is important. The idea is to allow time to cool off and gain perspective so that you can approach the situation more calmly and rationally.
Hazing Policy
This is not tolerated. Get more information from Mrs. Arnzen.
Uniforms
Each athlete will be given one uniform for the season (as well as warm up sweats). This will be issued to the player prior to the first meet and will be returned at the conclusion of the season. It is the athlete’s responsibility to care for the uniform until the end of the season. If the uniform is damaged or lost, you will be asked to replace it. PLEASE DON’T MAKE THE COACH HUNT YOU DOWN FOR YOUR UNIFORM!
Effort Policy
Giving 100% effort every day matters. I can tolerate minimal horseplay. I understand this can be a gray area. Cross country requires commitment and hard work. We are trying to build a culture of improvement and being competitive. *If at any time an athlete displays lack of effort/horseplay, the following will happen: 1. Address issue with athlete, 2. Contact parents, 3. Meet with AD, athlete, and/or parent(s), 4. Off the team. “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” ~Steve Prefontaine
Lettering Policy
A runner who has participated and carried out the responsibilities outlined in the team handbook and student handbook, who has followed the policies set forth by the MSHSL, and who has maintained minimum academic standards set forth by Royalton School District is eligible to receive a Varsity Letter. To receive any award or letter one must finish the season in good standing with the coach.
Any boy who runs a 5000 meter course in 19:00 or less.
Any girl who runs a 5000 meter course in 23:00 or less.
Experience Rule:
For each year of high school participation (grades 9-12) you add 20 seconds to the above standards. Which means if you participate every year, grades 7-12 lettering times would be:
HS experience 3 yrs. 2 yrs. 1 yr. 0 yrs.
Boys time 20:00 19:40 19:20 19:00
Girls time 24:00 23:40 23:20 23:00
Senior Rule:
The coach may letter any senior who they feel has made a positive contribution to the program but may have missed the lettering time.
Communication/TeamReach:
We will be switching from the Remind app to TeachReach this year as the platform for communication. We ask that all players and parents/guardians download the app. We will post our season schedule, update any changes that may occur, bus arrival and departure, there is an option for texting, and you can share any and all pictures with the team.
St. John’s Games Results
2011 - Champions Tic Tac Chicken Coop (Elizabeth, Bridgette, Tremayne, Ben, Thomas, Jenna)
2nd Flying Assassins (Katie, Lulu, Zach, Maddy, Taylor)
3rd Fantabulous 5 (Daniel, Stephen, Brittney, Sara)
4th No Name (Jessie, Curtis, Virginia, Ciara, Madi)
2012 – Champions Red-tongue Lizard Lickers (Elizabeth, Ciara, Zach, Sara, Amy)
2nd Lazy Llamas (Brianne, Tremayne, Madi, Taylor, Jordan, Elise)
3rd Neon Ninja Knights (Bridgette, Stephen, Maddy, Chloe, Sienna)
4th Triple B’s Double T’s (Virginia, Brittany, Jenna, Ben, Thomas)
2013 – Champions Super Sneezing Sumos (Ben, Tyler, Ciara, Elise, Chloe, Matthew) 20 pts
2nd 3-Legged 5-Tailed Squirrel Bait (Zach, Thomas, Christopher, Madi, Amy, Ayla) 21 pts
3rd Chicken Slayers (Tremayne, Adam, Sara, Breana, Emma, Jenna C.) 21 pts
4th Wonderful Wacky Waffles (Eli, Jordan, Lexi, Lucy, Jenna T.) 27 pts
2014 - Champions Krunchy Cetchup Kountry (Ben, Jordan, Elise, Amy, Dakota, Jacob) 15 pts
2nd Hash Slinging Slashers (Eli, Thomas, Chloe, Emma, Anthony, Jami) 20 pts
3rd Swell Jelly Stains (Tremayne, Madi, Kayley, Christopher, Lucy, Carson) 22 pts
4th Spaghetti Clenching Phalanges (Zach, Ayla, Adam, Heidi, Steve, Grace) 23 pts
2015 - Champions Stegoraptus Rexi (Madi, Adam, Anthony, Cari, Dakota, Erin, Rachel, Zach) 24 pts
2nd Puffy Plump Platypus Pancakes (Breanna, Chris, Jordan, Kayley, Jami, Ryan, Chloe, Makayla, Brad) 26 pts
3rd Raguars (Ben, Emma, Nathan, Heidi, Carson, Thomas, Lexi) 35 pts
3rd Beast Alpacas (Trevor, Philip, Elise, Christopher, Grace, Amanda, Bradley, Matt) 35 pts
2016 – Champions Silly Squids (Armondo, Rebeka, Grace G., Nathan, Jami, Bradley) 26 pts
2nd Super Septic Whales (Jordan, Mads, Anthony, Grace N., Noah, Jada, Chloe) 28 pts
3rd 2/5 Chris (Emma, Christopher, Cari, Chris, Ryan, Dorry) 31pts
4th The Clean-Up Crew (Kayley, Matt, Dakota, Erin, Thomas, Jhon) 34pts
2017 – Champions Politically Incorrect (Christopher, Jada, Dakota, Jami, Rylee, Jhon, Carrie) 19 pts
2nd Under Achievers (Kayley, Rebeka, Chris, Jack, Erin, Noah) 28 pts
3rd Lovely Luscious Llamas (Rachel, Cari, Nathan, Grace N., Bradley, Isaac) 30pts
4th Mattalica (Anthony, Grace G.,Naomi, Ryan, Thomas, Chloe, Autum) 32pts
2018 – Champions Chupacabras (Christopher, Naomi, Erin, Chloe, David, Emma) 24 pts
2nd Fire-Breathing Rubber Duckies (Cari, Jami, Thomas, Isaac, Will, Marcus) 25 pts
3rd Slimy Salamander Chickens (Rebeka, Rylee, Grace, Gabe, Tim, Nick) 28 pts
4th Toe Lickers (Anthony, Jada, Dakota, Nathan, Carrie) 33 pts
2019 - Champions: Laughing Launching Llamas (Samuel, Grace, Jacob, Erin, Hunter, Marcus, Jerret, Dylan) 21 points
2nd Bungling Bungalow Beetles (Cari, Naomi, Chloe, Andrew F., Brady, Nick, Bradley, Andrew H.) 26 points
3rd Stardust Crusaders (Anthony, Rylee, Dakota, David, James, Isaac, Hannah, Aurora, Michael, Jhon) 26 points
4th Thunder Cookies (Christopher, Nathan, Thomas, Carrie, Tim, Emma, Damien, Cole) 37 points
2020 - Champions: Banagic Wizard Monkeys (Samuel, Dakota, David, Brady, Autumn, Tim, Marcus, Arianne, Lane, Abigail) 16 points
2nd To Be Determined (Nathan, Choe, Erin, Isaac, Sara, Nick, Cole, Jerret, Wyatt) 22 points
3rd Lazy Lame Lizards (Rylee, Jacob, Thomas, Zara, Andrew F., Adon, Aurora, Cody ) 26 points
3rd Socially Ungraceful (Naomi, Grace, James, Carrie, Michael, Hunter, Damien, Andrew H., Landen) 26 points
2021 - Champions: Blumpkins (Jacob, David, Sara, Ben, Damien, Ethan, Abigail) 15 points
2nd Killer Beast Spiders (James, Bradley, Tim, Marcus, Aurora, Cole, Reed, Arianne) 24 points
2nd Power Penguins (Erin, Brady, Michael, Adon, Logan, Spencer, Cody ) 24 points
4th Seven (Thomas, Hunter, Isaac, Nick, Baley, Andrew, Lane, Trace) 26 points
2022 - Champions: Real Housewives (Sara, Marcus, Andrew, Logan, Cody, Henry, Maya, Taylor) 20 points
2nd Sewage Rats (Michael, Baley, Arianne, Nick L., Cole, Ethan, Peyton, Kolbe, Nick B.) 22 points
3rd Cool Crusty Crabs (Isaac, Ben Aurora, Spencer, Trace, Jasmine, Grady, Kyle, Hayden ) 27 points
4th Big Black Cookies (Tim, Adon, Nathan, Lane, Damien, Abigail, Kaylee, Jake) 31 points
2023 - Champions: Team U.S.A. (Adon, Nick L., Aurora, Andrew, Maya, Peyton, Brody, Braxton, Drake) 23 points
2nd Tree Climbers (Ben, Arianne, Lane, Cody, Kaylee, Mya, Dane, Hayden) 24 points
3rd Savage Slugs (Baley, Nathan, Kyle, Cole, Henry, Grady, Chloe, Ian, Waylon) 26 points
4th Zero Ping Calculators (Nick B., Marcus, Abigail, Trace, Taylor, Luke, Hailey, Benjamin) 27 points
Royalton Royals Girls Cross Country Top 15 5000m Times
Royalton Royals Boys Cross Country Top 15 5000m Times
I, (athlete)______________________________ have read and understand the team rules and expectations set before me. By signing this form, I am agreeing to:
· be a good teammate by challenging, supporting, and encouraging my team
· be courteous to opposing teams and treat all athletes and coaches with respect
· be modest when successful and gracious in defeat
· demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during, and after meets
· hustle and give 100% at all times
· follow rules and regulations outlined in the handbook
· show up for practice on time, with proper equipment, ready to work
· have school commitments and homework as my first priority
· have fun!
We, (parents or guardians)________________________________________________have read and understand the philosophy and expectations set before me. By signing this form, I am agreeing to:
· place the well-being of my child before a personal desire to win
· look at the program as a whole, instead of just from my child’s perspective
· encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for ALL athletes, coaches, fans, and meet officials at practices and other sporting events
· advocate a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs, vape, tobacco, alcohol, and abusive language
· help my child show up to practice and meets on time, with proper equipment, and ready to play and encourage them to always do their best
Everyone must sign in order to be an active participant or parent/fan this season. You may be asked to leave the premises if you are unable to fulfill your agreement. We can achieve so much more in a positive environment!
Thank you for your commitment to the Royalton Cross Country program!
SIGNATURE OF PLAYER __________________________________ DATE__________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN___________________________ DATE__________