Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cost to participate? How do I pay the participation fee?

The Track program is self-funded via participation fees paid by participants. The fees collected go towards equipment purchases, facility rental for practices, equipment purchases and uniform purchases. Athletes receive a team t-shirt, which doubles as the team uniform, and is theirs to keep at the end of the season. The t-shirt is included in the participation fee.

The participation fee is $75 per child. STAA students will have the participation fee added to their FACTS account. Non-STAA students may write a check made payable to "St. Thomas Aquinas Academy" and given it to the Track Program Coordinator.

I have never seen a track meet! How does the sport work?

There's an entire page dedicated to this topic. Feel free to contact the Track Program Coordinator (track@staamke.org) with any questions.

My child can't make every practice or meet. Is that a problem?

Not at all! If your child has to miss some practices or meets, that is not a problem. Join as many as you can and we guarantee they will still have an enjoyable experience.

Track & Field is as much an individual sport as it is a team sport. Individual athletes are not required to participate in every meet. At the middle school level, it's more about fostering a healthy and enjoyable relationship with physical fitness than it is about competition and 100% participation. 

Are practices held rain or shine?

Practices will be held at both the STAA Gym or STAA parking lot / playground behind the school, as weather permits. Practices may be held at the Bay View High School track. If a practice is cancelled due to weather, an email will be sent to parents as soon as possible prior to practice time. If you receive no notice expect practice to be held. If cold weather or rain threatens a practice day where we are planning to be outside we will fall back on practicing inside the STAA gym. If the STAA gym is unavailable we will cancel practice. 

A Note on Cold Weather Practices

We will practice  outdoors in any temperatures above freezing. Please send your child to practice with multiple layers. On colder days, please send them with a warm hat and light gloves as we may run outside even if we are practicing in the STAA gym. Thank you! 

Does my child need special shoes?

No! Your child does not need formal track shoes. A pair of athletic shoes in good condition is all that is needed. Do not buy a specialized pair of track shoes! Track spikes are not allowed at the middle school level. If your child is in need of a new pair of athletic shoes anyway buy shoes specific to running (versus cross training, lifestyle, or other specific uses). 

My child uses an inhaler. Should they bring one to practice and meets?

Absolutely, please! If you'd like to keep a permanent inhaler on hand, give one to a coach and we will keep it in our equipment bag that goes to every practice and meet.

What should athletes wear to practices and meets?

Practice Attire

We will be practicing both indoors and outdoors depending upon practice facility availability and weather conditions. We will practice outdoors even in cooler weather. Please have your kids dress in layers: For tops, a short sleeve shirt covered with long sleeve shirt or light sweatshirt. For bottoms, shorts covered by warmup pants, sweatpants or track pants. Early in the season it will be cool outside but once the practice gets going they'll get hot and start ditching their heavier clothing. In case of rain or extreme cold we will move practices inside to STAA's gym.

Meet Attire

Dress weather appropriate. Meets are held rain or shine and only postponed or cancelled due to thunderstorms. If rain is in the forecast send a rain poncho. The team has a tent for meet days but it's not much of a shelter against heavy rain. For sunny days, send sunscreen as the kids are often out in the sun. It doesn't take much to get sunburn. 

For clothing, they should wear their team t-shirt and any color athletic shorts for competing. Between their events they may want warmup clothing to put over their t-shirt and shorts, so send them with a long sleeve shirt/sweatshirt and sweatpants or track pants.

We suggest packing a "track bag" containing the following for meets:

• Hydration - please bring water to all practices and meets.

• Inhalers - please bring inhalers to all practices and meets.

• Sweats/Track Pants 

• Long sleeve shirt / Windbreaker

• Hat, gloves

• Sunscreen

• Extra socks

• Sunglasses

• Healthy Snacks

• Small games, drawing supplies, homework.

Should kids bring water or snacks to practices and meets?

Yes! For practices, bring water and, if they didn't get something to eat ahead of time, a reasonably healthy and light snack. While we don't have snack time, kids will have  periods where they can eat something quick: an apple, banana, granola bar, etc. 

For meets, they may be at the meet for long periods between their events. Definitely send water and healthy snacks. Most track meets have concession stands as well so a few dollars to buy a treat always makes the day.

What else should athletes bring to meets?

Meets can have downtime between events for kids. Bring homework, games (Uno, card games, etc), drawing supplies, etc. Kids may also want to bring their own portable chair or a blanket to put on the ground. While families can sit in the grandstands, teams sit in their own area next to the track.

Do you need help at practices or meets?

Absolutely, yes! Keeping over 30 kids focused and on task takes a village. If you can help even part time or just when your child is at a practice or meet, contact the Track Program Coordinator at track@staamke.org. We'll make it work for you and your schedule!

Do parents have to stay for the entire meet?

No! If there are long periods between your child's events, by all means go run some errands. We'll keep an eye on your athlete and make sure they are ready for their next event.

If my child is done with his/her events before the meet is over can we leave?

Yes! Your child does not need to arrive at a meet until roughly 30 minutes prior to (in case the meet is running fast) their first event. You are free to leave the meet with your child when they have completed their last event for the day. You do not have to stay for the entire meet if your child is not competing. We do ask that your child stay for the duration of the meet where they have events, including the entire time in between their events.

Does the team have a uniform?

Yes! Part of your participation fee pays for a custom team t-shirt, which doubles as a uniform. The t-shirt is yours to keep after the season. For STAA students, track team uniform t-shirts double as school spirit wear.

How many meets and where are they?

We generally have 3-4 meets. Teams register for middle school track meets are about 3 weeks ahead of the meet. The meet listing published at the start of the season is preliminary and, until our team has been formally invited to participate in a meet, it's not official. This means occasionally meets may shift around as the season progresses, but you will generally have a 2-3 week (or more) advance notice. 

I can't make a meet. What do I do?

We have to supply a roster about 1 week ahead of each meet. There is very limited opportunity to make last minute roster changes. If you know your child can't make it please give advance warning - ideally more than a week ahead of time.

What's expected of me as a parent at a meet? Do I need to volunteer?

First, have a great time and be our biggest fan! Cheer on our team and your own child. Get close to the track or field event area and really cheer them and their teammates on!

As for volunteering, some meets require each team to supply one or more volunteers to help with timing or measuring of events. These are usually done in shifts. Since coaches are busy helping athletes warm up, get prepped for their events, and keeping kids in good spirits if they maybe didn't do their best and are disappointed, we really rely on parents to provide volunteer assistance at meets. We'll send around sign ups for volunteer opportunities a couple weeks ahead of each meet.

Even if there is no formal volunteer needs at a meet, it's great to have a couple parents help man the team tent to give attention to any needs of kids as coaches are often running all over the place getting kids to where they need to go. Sending healthy snacks for the entire team is always highly appreciated too!

What events are there at a track meet?

First, your child will not participate in every event. They will choose several events to specialize in. If they are new to the sport or don't quite know where their interests or talents are, coaches will guide them. Early in the season they may try lots of unrelated events and then narrow it down.

Second, not every meet offers every type of event. 

Track Events

Sprints & Runs

100m dash

200m dash ( ½ time around track)

400m dash (roughly ¼ mile  - 1 time around track)

800m run (roughly ½ mile  - 2 times around track)

1600m run (roughly 1 mile - 4 times around track) 

Hurdles

110m hurdles

200m hurdles

Relays

4 x 100m relay (4 runners each run 100m)

4 x 200m relay (4 runners each run 200m)

4 x 400m relay (4 runners each run 400m)

Field Events

Long Jump

High Jump 

Softball Throw (5th / 6th grades)    &  Shot Put (7th / 8th grades)

Discus (7th / 8th grades)

My child lost their team t-shirt. What are my options?

We print a limited number of extra t-shirts in each size. If a replacement is still available we charge a replacement cost of $30. See a coach for more information.