What each athlete should bring to every practice:

• A water bottle labelled with their name clearly printed-Important!! You must have this each day at practice. It's a good idea to have a spare or two in your locker as back-ups.

• Running shoes-a pair of everyday running shoes. It is best to have a pair of shoes that are just used for running. 

• Socks-synthetic socks are best, and they help prevent blisters

• Shorts-light, breathable material is best

• T-Shirt-best if it is a little loose-fitting and a lighter color

• A large beach or bath towel (optional)--We do our stretching and a lot of strength work on the tennis courts. The surface is nice and level and doesn't have itchy grass, but it's also hot and not soft, so some runners like to bring a towel.

What each athlete should not bring to practice:

• Cell phone/electronic devices-they can keep it in their locker/our designated storage area during practice.  Coaches will have our cell phones with us at practice at all times whether we are running on or off campus. Some students may have smart watches now. Those are OK as long as they do not become a distraction. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Cross Country:

How far do the middle school athletes run?

Almost of our races will be 2-miles. Occasionally, there may be 1-mile courses for JV runners or, even more rarely now, 7th graders.

How are meets scored to determine team placings?

Each school's team has four divisions, 8th grade girls, 8th grade boys, 7th grade girls, and 7th grade boys. For each of team's four divisions, the top 5 runners (occasionally the top 3 runners are used) to determine the scoring. Each runner's numerical order of finish within their division assigns them their points. For example, if AMS' top five runners in the 7th grade girls division was 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 11th places, those numbers would be added together to determine the score. In this case, 1+4+5+7+11=28. This score of 28 would be compared to all the other school's scores for 7th grade girls, and the lowest score wins the division.

One of the cool things about cross country scoring, is that those middle-of-the-pack runners can help out the team score even if they are not in the top five runners for their school. They do this by passing as many runners from the other teams as they can. By doing this, they can cause the top five runners from other schools to be pushed back in the order of finish, and thereby cause their score number to be higher (remember, higher is bad) compared to our score number. Over the years, AMS has had many meets in which non-medalling runners in the middle of the pack were the difference in AMS achieving a division win. We have won divisions in the past by as little as one or two points, so every runner is important!

How many cross country meets are there in a season?

We are limited by KSHSAA to seven meets in a season, so it goes by extremely fast!

Where do the cross country meets happen?

Most of our meets happen in parks and nature trails and around rural schools. Occasionally a meet will be held at  a golf course or country club, although that is getting more and more rare. No course is the same, some are relatively level, but most have hills and other terrain features that create a very interesting and challenging race environment.

Since meets are held in locations that do not have stands for spectators, how do I watch the race?

If you have never been to a cross country meet, you are in for a treat! Spectators can watch from almost any place along the race course that is not roped off. Usually, parents will look at a course map (or ask another spectator) and then after their child passes that point, they cut across to another point on the race to see their child again. It is said that cross country is the only sport where the spectators get almost as much exercise as the participants. 

What kind of equipment do I need for cross country?

See the list above regarding what each athlete should bring to every practice. Also, be sure to check out the running shoes link.

Team Rules and Polices:

(the Cross Country coaches reserve the right to modify or change the following rules if necessary using their best judgment)

A COMPLETED ATHLETIC PACKET MUST BE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE PRIOR TO A STUDENT ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN PRACTICE! Students will be allowed to watch practice.

Regardless of the weather, assume that we will have practice unless you hear otherwise from a coach. We will also notify parents via the website or social.

Practice times during the school year (a few days of the first week of practice excepted):

• • Normal after school practice is from 3:00 to 4:30 (+ up to 10 min because of off-campus runs) Monday-Friday

  • Be outside on the track (around football field) ready to go (water bottles, towels in your stretching spot) we will start promptly at 3:00!

  • After practice starts, no one enters the building without coaches' knowledge and permission!

  • Kids will fill up their water bottle inside at the drinking fountain before practice. If they are hydrating properly throughout the day, they shouldn't need more than that to drink during practice. AFTER practice, they should drink more fluids and replenish what they lost during practice.

  • Restroom should be taken care of BEFORE practice! Students are NOT to go inside the building during practice without permission/knowledge of a coach! (We know there are emergency situations, but please plan on staying outside for our entire practice time).

  • Practice is over each day only after you have been dismissed by a coach. NEVER assume practice is over until you are told so by a coach.

  • Of course, all team members are required to follow team policies and coaches verbal instructions, they are expected to pay attention and not cause distractions for the team.

  • Per COVID guidelines, masks will be worn when not actively participating in the activity. Social distancing will be practiced during stretching and all non-running activities, and as much as possible when running. (Happily, this is old news)

  • COVID Guidelines from KSHSAA may be view HERE.

Arriving late to practice after it has started (we are on campus when you get here):

What is Excused

• • A teacher requires/allows you to work after school on something that is important* to their class IF:

    • The teacher gives you a signed and dated pass with the time filled in. You will be expected to get changed and outside

    • However, make sure that it is important, do not use this as a way to get out of practice, we will check w/teachers to make sure.

  • Due to an appt. away from school, you arrive late but with a note or a parent tells me in person as they drop you off.

What is Tardy (or not excused)

• • Arriving at practice without a pass/with a pass with no time on it/with a time that indicates that you wasted time getting out to practice.

  • Each tardy will require that person to stay after practice for some physical fitness improvement.

  • IF YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE LATE, PLEASE LET COACH GIEBER OR COACH KOPPES KNOW IN ADVANCE IF YOU CAN!

Arriving late to practice after it has started (if we are off campus):

      DO NOT TRY TO FIND US OR ATTEMPT TO CATCH UP WITH US!!!

• • Wait inside the foyer of the Activity Entrance or outside close by until we get back-it may be near 4:00.

  • Do not go to the FB/VB practices and watch or bother them.

Absences from practices/meets:

What is Excused

• • All absences from practice (or meets if scheduled to go) must have a note from a parent (or a doctor’s note), preferably ahead of time, but if not asap after the absence.

  • If you are not at school at all on a day, your name will be on the Absence List sent out by the office during the school day. I can check w/office or you upon your return to school.

What is Unexcused

• • No show/no note or parent contact within a reasonable time.

  • The 1st unexcused absence will cause the student to stay after practice asap and run extra to make up for the absence.

  • The 2nd unexcused absence is grounds for dismissal from the team.

Academic eligibility (AMS policy):

All school policies apply. Ineligible students cannot compete in any meets the following week Monday through Saturday.

Problems or concerns:

If something is a problem please talk to the coaches. Discussions we have in confidence will be held in confidence. We follow the Golden Rule and encourage all team members to also do so.

Does CC have tryouts and cuts?

We sometimes have to make cuts due to large numbers, we haven't had to do this for awhile and hopefully with three coaches that continues to be the case. HOWEVER, the performance expectation to be a member of the cross country is that all athletes are able to run 2 miles without stopping by our first meet.

We will also take VB/FB players for a limited time if they get cut or otherwise decide to try CC. 

Soccer players are WELCOME to participate in CC, however, we would like you to put CC first during our season! Please see Coach Hildebrand for more info.

Who travels to CC meets? 

(Usually) The top 10 runners (7 Varsity and 3 JV) in each division, provided they:

• • Are in good standing relative to academics and school/team rules/policies

  • Regularly demonstrate high effort put into practice

  • The ability to run a mile (or the race distance for the division, in some cases 2 miles) without walking. 

In other words if a student happened to be in the top 10 runners in their division, but they show a pattern of not working hard or walking during the miles and practice runs, they could be left off the traveling team.

Developmental runners will compete in our home meet and the Rock Creek meet at least. We will try to have a run-off once in the middle of the season to allow some developmental runners to get a spot on the travel squad if possible. 

Other Info:

AMS team uniforms will be checked out to kids prior to the 1st meet-parents are responsible for their return condition.