This Week's Schedule
Mon.-Fri. (10/27-10/31) Practice at 3:05 p.m. in team rooms JUST FOR STATE MEET ATHLETES.
Fri. 10/31 State Meet Sendoff
4:30 p.m. Saline Athletics parking lot entrance
Sat. 11/1 MHSAA Division One State XC Finals at the Michigan International Speedway.
HERE is the info for the State Finals
Here are the important things to know:
The Division 1 Boys race is at 3:30 p.m.
The Awards Ceremony is at 4:15 p.m
It is $11/person for spectator entrance to the meet
Transportation info for race morning will be communicated with the parents of state meet runners NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY of this week.
Notes and Reminders for This Week
This week we will be at MIS for the 2025 MHSAA XC State Championship Race.
The State Meet sendoff is open to all runners and families as a way to bring good fortune to our state meet runners.
Our banquet will be the following Wednesday!
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
This team could not be as successful as it is or carry the history it's known for without the families involved in making this all happen. No matter where your child ranks on the team, everybody plays an extremely important role in keeping Saline XC the program that every other student-athlete in the state would dream to be a part of. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!
Looking Further Ahead
Wed. 11/5: 2025 Saline XC Banquet
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. 10/20 NO PRACTICE FALL BREAK
Tues.-Fri. (10/20-10/24) Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms JUST FOR REGIONAL ATHLETES.
Sat. 10/25 Region 05-01 Championships at Lake Erie Metropark
Notes and Reminders for This Week
This week we will be at Lake Erie Metropark for our Regional Championship meet. The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon.-Fri. (10/27-10/31) Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms JUST FOR STATE MEET ATHLETES.
Sat. 11/1 MHSAA Division One State XC Finals at the Michigan International Speedway.
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon.(10/13) Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Tues. (10/14) Practice at Hudson Mills for C GROUP ONLY w/Coach O at 3:30pm, Everybody else at team room at 3:05pm as usual.
Wed (10/15) Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Boys and Girls Team Pasta Dinner @ Saline High School Commons 6:30-8:00 pm.
Thurs. (10/16): SEC HS Championship at Hudson Mills
Fri. (10/17): Practice just for REGIONAL athletes at 11:30am (half day of school)
Notes and Reminders for This Week
This week we will be at Hudson Mills Metropark for our SEC Championship meet. The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon.-Fri. (10/20-10/24) Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms JUST FOR REGIONAL ATHLETES.
Sat. 10/25 Region 05-01 Championships at Lake Erie Metropark
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (10/6) - Thurs. (10/9): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Fri. (10/10): 20th River Rat Open at Willow Metropark
Notes and Reminders for This Week
We learned recently that weekday busing will be limited this fall. This was news to us, and we too are frustrated. It looks like we will frequently need assistance in transporting athletes this fall. While attendance at meets is mandatory, if a bus is not provided and a kid cannot get self-transport, they will not be penalized.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon.-Fri. (10/13) - Wed. (10/15): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Thurs. (10/16): SEC HS Championship at Hudson Mills
Fri. (10/17): Practice just for REGIONAL athletes, time tbd
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (9/29) - Fri. (10/3): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Wed. (10/1): East Lansing Invite (Bus leaves at 1:40pm)
Sat. (10/4): Portage Invite (Top 10 only)
Notes and Reminders for This Week
We learned recently that weekday busing will be limited this fall. This was news to us, and we too are frustrated. It looks like we will frequently need assistance in transporting athletes this fall. While attendance at meets is mandatory, if a bus is not provided and a kid cannot get self-transport, they will not be penalized.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon. (10/6) - Thurs. (10/9): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Fri. (10/10): 20th River Rat Open at Willow Metropark
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (9/22) - Wed. (9/24): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Wed. (9/24): Pasta Dinner #2 6-7:30pm
Thurs. (9/25): SEC Jamboree #2 @ Indian Creek
Busing may be limited; current bus/meet schedule
Fri. (9/26): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Notes and Reminders for This Week
The Punt, Pass & Kick Challenge on Sunday, September 28, part of this year’s RunTough Family Fun Day event, is open to all ages and promises a great time for everyone.
Special Offer for members of Saline XC: Save $10 per entry with code 25PPKSALE
Register now at: www.chadtough.org/run
We learned recently that weekday busing will be limited this fall. This was news to us, and we too are frustrated. It looks like we will frequently need assistance in transporting athletes this fall. While attendance at meets is mandatory, if a bus is not provided and a kid cannot get self-transport, they will not be penalized.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon. (9/29) - Fri. (10/3): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Wed. (10/1): East Lansing Invite
Sat. (10/4): Portage Invite (Top 10 only)
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (9/15): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Tue. (9/16): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Wed. (9/17): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Thu. (9/18): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Fri. (9/19): Jackson JV Invite (athletes outside of the top 10)
Busing may be limited; current bus/meet schedule
We know the marching band homecoming performance is this night; a plan will be created and shared with athletes to make XC and marching work.
Sat. (9/20): Jackson Varsity Invite (top 10 athletes)
Busing will be provided; current bus/meet schedule
Notes and Reminders for This Week
We learned recently that weekday busing will be limited this fall. This was news to us, and we too are frustrated. It looks like we will frequently need assistance in transporting athletes this fall. While attendance at meets is mandatory, if a bus is not provided and a kid cannot get self-transport, they will not be penalized.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the families that made transportation to the MSU Spartan Invite possible. That was a big commitment from those families, and all of us appreciate your help in making it happen.
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Thank you to the Walper family for hosting the boys at the first pasta dinner. And thank you to all of the families for contributing to the meal.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon. (9/22) - Wed. (9/24): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Wed. (9/24): Pasta Dinner #2 (more info soon)
Thurs. (9/25): SEC Jamboree #2
Busing may be limited; current bus/meet schedule
Fri. (9/26): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (9/8):
Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Pasta Dinner: What to bring, location, time, etc...
Tue. (9/9): SEC Jambo #1 at Willow Metropark:
Meet Info on Anet
Early Dismissal at 2:10; Bus Leaves at 2:30
Busing is limited; Who is on the bus?
Wed. (9/10): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Thu. (9/11): Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
Fri. (9/12):
B Group: Practice at 3:05pm in Team Rooms
C Group: Spartan Invite at MSU: Transportation is still being worked out
Sat. (9/13): Huron Invite for B Group
Notes and Reminders for This Week
We learned last week that weekday busing will be limited this fall. This was news to us, and we too are frustrated. It looks like we will frequently need assistance in transporting athletes this fall. While attendance at meets is mandatory, if a bus is not provided and a kid cannot get self-transport, they will not be penalized.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriously slow. If arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Pictures from meets and other team events will be posted here. Assistance is needed to make sure we have pictures of all athletes and it's really easy to do, even if you have a flip phone! Scott Hayes can provide easy to follow instructions for uploading photo's you take. Please reach out to Scott at s.k.hayes@icloud.com if you are able to help.
Thank You!!!
Thank you to the families that made transportation to Bath possible. That was a big commitment from those families, and all of us appreciate your help in making it happen.
Thank you to the many families helping with post-race snacks.
Thank you to the Walper family for hosting the boys at this week's pasta dinner. And thank you to all of the families for contributing to the meal.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon. (9/15) - Thu. (9/18): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Fri. (9/19): Jackson JV Invite (athletes outside of the top 10)
Busing may be limited; current bus/meet schedule
We know the marching band homecoming performance is this night; a plan will be created and shared with athletes to make XC and marching work.
Sat. (9/20): Jackson Varsity Invite (top 10 athletes)
Busing will be provided; current bus/meet schedule
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
This Week's Schedule
Mon. (9/1): No Practice
Tue. (9/2): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Wed. (9/3): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Thu. (9/4): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Fri. (9/5): Practice at 3:05pm in team rooms
Bath athletes (top 10) depart for East Lansing
Sat. (9/6): Bath Invite for top 10, Rambling Rock for all others
Notes and Reminders for This Week
Bus Schedule for Saturday: The bus for Rambling Rock will depart at 8:45 am from the west/athletic entrance of the high school. Athletes riding the bus should plan to arrive at 8:30 and report to the team rooms to assist in carrying any gear up to the bus.
If your son is not riding the bus, he must be at the team race site at least 1 hour before his scheduled race. Athletes that arrive late will not compete.
The Metroparks are incredibly crowded and access is notoriosly slow. If you are arranging your son's transportation, allow for for plenty of extra time to enter, park, and find the team tent.
There is a fee to enter the Metroparks.
If your son is not riding the bus home, we still would like for him to stay for the post-race team chat and to help with loading equipment onto the bus.
Looking Further Ahead
Mon. (9/8): Pasta Dinner (What to bring, location, time, etc...)
Tue. (9/9): Jamboree #1: Athletes will be dismissed from class at 2:10 to catch the 2:30 bus. See the bus/meet schedule doc for race location and times.
Fri. (9/12): Spartan Invite for top 12 athletes. Athletes in this race will be dismissed at 10:10 am for their 1:10 pm race in East Lansing.
Sat. (9/13): Huron Invite for athletes not racing at Spartan.
Links You Should Already Have:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
For specific information and statistics on competitions: Athletic.net
This Week's Schedule
August 25: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room. Practice will be short and sweet on Monday, and boys will be able to get their XC locker.
August 26: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
August 27: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
There will be no mandatory XC events from 8/28 through 9/1 so that families can maximize the Labor Day holiday.
Notes for This Week
The boys have completed their races on our home course with the Campus Invite on Friday. These meets could not have happened without the help of our amazing parent volunteers. A huge THANK YOU from all the coaches for giving the boys such a great experience with your help.
Here is the link to the write up on Friday's race.
Here is the link to the 2025 SHS XC Photo Page where you can find photos of your athletes from multiple parents at our races all season long!
Looking Further Ahead
September 1: NO PRACTICE LABOR DAY WEEKEND
September 2: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
September 3: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
September 4: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
September 5: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
September 6: TWO different races this day.
Bret Clements Bath Invitational (Top 10 athletes)
Rambling Rock Invitational at Willow Metropark
Events, Practice, and Competition Schedules:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
For specific information and statistics on competitions: Athletic.net
This Week's Schedule
August 18: practice 8:00 a.m.
August 19: practice 8:00 a.m.
August 20: practice 3:00 p.m.
August 21: practice 3:00 p.m. TEAM PICTURES DAY. Order form and official time to be communicated early this week.
August 22: Saline Campus Invite; athletes report to HS track barn at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers needed.
Notes for This Week
We need a few volunteers for Friday's race at Saline. If you can help, a sign up here to volunteer.
We officially kicked off our season Friday with the Saline XC Time Trials! Here is an article and photos from The Saline Post , and here is the link to the 2025 SHS XC Photo Page where you can find photos of your athletes from multiple parents at our races all season long!
Missed the clothing order deadline? You still have options. Check out this online store that is open all year.
If you were waiting to purchase 5" shorts, those are now back in stock. Please see the Registration Page for information on purchasing shorts.
During the month of August, Ann Arbor Running Company is offering 20% off purchases. Just let your salesperson know your son runs for Saline. Family members can also use the discount.
Looking Further Ahead
August 25: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
August 26: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
August 27: practice 3:00 p.m. from the XC Room
There will be no mandatory XC events from 8/28 through 9/1 so that families can maximize the Labor Day holiday.
Events, Practice, and Competition Schedules:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
For specific information and statistics on competitions: Athletic.net
Useful Info for Parents NEW to Saline HS XC
Check out this Handbook for New XC Parents.
It is possible to do cross country and marching band. Our seniors that have experience balancing both will help our new athletes.
If your son is a freshman or sophomore trying to decide between XC and soccer, he may be able to do both. Review the last page of the team rules for details.
Contacting Coaches: You can usually find answers to most questions from your son, in the weekly update, or posted on the team website. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in the resources listed above, feel free to contact a coach.
General Questions - Zach Ornelas <mroruns@gmail.org>
C-Group Absences - Carl Spina <spinac@salineschools.org>
B-Group Absences - Spencer Leslie <spendy.leslie@gmail.com>
Missed the clothing order deadline? You still have options. Check out this online store that is open all year.
The first update of every season is quite long. As the season progresses, the updates will become much shorter. As always, the most essential information is at the very top.
This Week's Schedule
Monday: mandatory practice, 8:00 a.m. at HS Track Barn
Tuesday: mandatory practice, 8:00 a.m. at HS Track Barn
Wednesday: mandatory practice, 8:00 a.m. at HS Track Barn
clothing sale ends
optional parent meeting, 7:00 p.m. via GoogleMeet link, see weekly email for link (agenda)
Thursday: mandatory practice, 8:00 a.m. at HS Track Barn
Friday: Time Trial; boys report at 6:00 p.m. to HS Track, race at 7:00 p.m. (course map and more details)
Saturday: Optional Donut Death Dash (donuts, good company, and optional exercise on Saturday morning)
Notes for This Week
Please take care of registration ASAP. Our Registration Page has just about everything you need (BigTeams, fan gear, schedules, racing shorts, etc....) in one place. BigTeams registration must be complete before your son can practice.
If the pay-to-participate fee is an issue for your family, there are scholarships available. If your son applies for and is denied financial assistance through the athletic department, please contact a coach for other options.
If you were waiting to purchase 5" shorts, those are now back in stock. Please see the Registration Page for information on purchasing shorts.
During the month of August, Ann Arbor Running Company is offering 20% off purchases. Just let your salesperson know your son runs for Saline. Family members can also use the discount.
Looking Further Ahead
August 18: practice 8:00 a.m.
August 19: practice 8:00 a.m.
August 20: practice 3:00 p.m.
August 21: practice 3:00 p.m.
August 22: Saline Campus Invite; athletes report to HS track barn at 8:30 a.m.
There will be no mandatory XC events from 8/28 through 9/1 so that families can maximize the Labor Day holiday.
Events, Practice, and Competition Schedules:
If you rely on Google Calendar: Saline Boys XC Google Calendar
If you prefer a Google Doc version: Practice and Events document
For specific information and statistics on competitions: Athletic.net
Useful Info for Parents NEW to Saline HS XC
Check out this Handbook for New XC Parents.
It is possible to do cross country and marching band. Our seniors that have experience balancing both will help our new athletes.
If your son is a freshman or sophomore trying to decide between XC and soccer, he may be able to do both. Review the last page of the team rules for details.
Contacting Coaches: You can usually find answers to most questions from your son, in the weekly update, or posted on the team website. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in the resources listed above, feel free to contact a coach.
General Questions - Zach Ornelas <mroruns@gmail.org>
C-Group Absences - Carl Spina <spinac@salineschools.org>
B-Group Absences - Spencer Leslie <spendy.leslie@gmail.com>
NOT ESSENTIAL, BUT WORTH KNOWING:
I am excited that tomorrow, August 11 is the official start of the 2025 cross country season. Your son will have a fantastic experience, and I am glad to share it with him. The sport and the team are second-to-none.
This will be my thirty-first season with cross country: six as an athlete, three as a volunteer, and 22 as the head coach. In just a few words, I love it.
If you are new to Saline Cross Country, you might not know the legacy of the program. It stretches back to the fall of 1970, when the team was started by Coach Jim Wicker. Fifty-five years later, Saline's program is one of the most successful cross country programs in Michigan. And that's not just me saying it; whether you're measuring across years, decades, or centuries, Saline's boys and girls cross country teams are always listed among the very best.
Pre-covid, the team regularly included 80+ boys and 110+ girls. At our peak, it took five buses to transport the entire program to races. We were quite a spectacle. I am glad to see participation increasing again, and look forward to being an impossible task for our transportation department.
I believe the following things might explain the success and the size of the program:
We have high expectations for kids, and we step them towards meeting them.
High expectations sometimes result in disappointment, which hurts. However, reflection after a failure is usually the most honest reflection. Therefore, we don't protect them from disappointment. We prepare them to grow from it.
We have a long-term view of athletic development.
We prioritize speed far more than other cross country coaches.
We value winning.
We teach older athletes to use their position to help others.
We expect all athletes to have athletic, leadership, and social aspirations.
We expect the team to be a welcoming place for all athletes.
The start of the 2025 season has my heart racing, and with the help of our outstanding assistant coaches, I know your son is going to have an outstanding experience.