Frequently Asked Questions

If the question you have is not listed below, please contact the coaches

Q: What do I need to do to participate?

A: All athletes must have an up to date physical (1 in the past 365 days) in order to participate. Along with the physical, a completed athletic packet, and the $50 pay to play fee must be submitted to the district. The full packet, including physical information and deadlines can be found on the district website. If the fee is not paid by the district due date, a $10 late fee will be applied.

Q: Is there a booster club?

A: YES! Any questions you have regarding the booster club can be answered at the parent interest meeting before the season or by checking the BOOSTER CLUB page on this site

Q: What time does practice start?

A: When the weather cooperates, on weekdays, we will start practice promptly at 2:40pm outside on the High School Track. Saturday practices will take place at 8:00 AM. Changes will be communicated during the week by coaches. When the track is covered in snow we will meet in "The range" (the parking lot next to the lower turf field)

If it is snowing / raining / or too cold, and as a result, deemed unsafe to go outside by the District or by Coaches, practice will begin at 3:00 inside.

On days when there is a varsity invitational, practice will not be formally held. Athletes are however, expected to do a workout of some type on their own. These workouts will be communicated by the coaching staff.

Q: How do freshmen get to practice?

A: There is an activity bus that will pick up all 9th graders promptly after school at Churchill. Freshmen should NOT change at Churchill, but bring their bags to the High School and change there. If they miss the first bus, they should wait for it to make it second run. Everyone on the team will get lockers to put their book bags during practice.

Q: What time is practice over everyday?

A: Practice ends when it ends. Everyday is different, so there is not a standard time of completion. However, you can assume, with a 2:40 start, that we will be done with our day at around 5:00-5:30. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. Meets will typically be much later than practices

Q: What does practice typically consist of?

A: Practices will vary by event group. The groups are as follows:

Sprints (55 / 100 / 200 / 400)

Mid Distance (400 / 800)

Distance (800 / 1600 / 3200)

Hurdles (55 / 100/110 / 400 hurdles)

Throws (Shot Put / Javelin / Discus)

Jumps (Pole Vault / High Jump / Long Jump / Triple Jump)

Each group will have a different workout schedule throughout the week which will be communicated through the event group coaches. All event groups will do some form of weight training, abdominal exercises, and speed work at some point during the practice week. For runners & jumpers weights and abs will take place after the daily running workout.

Q: Do throwers and jumpers practice with the rest of the team?

A: Throwing and Jumping practice will vary from week to week, but there will be days when they join the runners for practice, and days when they practice inside to work on their specific events. Evening practices (4:30 start time) may take place 1 or 2 times per week. This schedule will be communicated during the week by coaches.

Q: What is the policy for missing practice?

A: Practice is mandatory everyday, Monday-Saturday. We use a 3 strike policy with athletes; 3 unexcused absences will lead to dismissal from the team. ALL absences must be communicated to the head coach AND the event coach (if that is different from the head) VIA EMAIL. Any absences that has not been communicated prior to missing practice will be unexcused, regardless of the reason.

ACCEPTABLE reasons to miss a practice:

1. Religious Holiday

2. Emergency (Includes Death in Family)

3. Out of School - You are not allowed to practice or compete in a meet if you miss school, but again, you expected to email coach(es) if you do. A stuffy nose or a headache during school does not warrant leaving at the end of the day without talking to coaches first.

UNACCEPTABLE reasons to miss practice:

1. Doctors appointment - plan around practice if and when possible

2. Too much homework / extra help after school - budgeting your time is a responsibility associated with being on the team, if you can't handle the responsibility, you will not be able to participate. If you need to stay after for help, you are expected to be at practice by 3:00 at the latest.

3. Family Vacation - Plan trips in the offseason, we have meets over break

4. Other school clubs - FBLA, Model UN, and all other clubs do not take precedent over practice. If you need to, show up a bit late (NO LATER THAN 3:00) to make your meetings and practice. It is expected that you change for practice before your club meeting and hustle out to the field as soon as you are done. NO WALKING!!!

5. Club sports practice - Club soccer / basketball / baseball / etc. are not reasons to miss practice. If you are a member of another sport you MUST communicate that to your coaches at the beginning of the season regardless of whether it will conflict with track practice.

6. Unprepared for practice - We follow the 60 degree rule; If it is less than 60 degrees, pants must be worn during warm ups. Warming up in 40 degree weather in shorts increases the likely hood of a muscle injury dramatically. Hats, gloves, sweatshirts, and jackets are all essentials in winter track. Dress in layers, you can always remove them. If you come unprepared, its the same as not showing up at all.

Q: How do I make the team?

A: In order to make the team, Sprinters must run a 55 & a 200, and distance runners an 800, in a certain, grade specific time. These times are reevaluated each season and will be communicated to athletes at practice when they have been established for the current year. Once you have made the team, you will remain a member as long as the attendance policy is adhered to, and you finish the season in good standing.

Q: When do the meets take place?

A: The schedule varies year by year, but a schedule will be sent out by the coaches as soon as possible in order to avoid conflicts. Typically we run 2 varsity invitationals in the 3rd and 4th weeks of December. Other important varsity meets are GMC Relays, State Relays, GMC Championships, and the State Championships. Duel meets will take place sporadically on weekdays throughout the season.

Q: Where do meets take place?

A: Varsity meets will take place at several different indoor facilities in the area, including but not limited to, The New York City Armory, Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, and "The Bubble" at Toms River. Duel meets and scrimmages will take place at various schools around the county as well as our own home track. Directions to many of these locations can be found on the MEET DIRECTIONS page of this site.

Q: How do I get a Varsity Letter?

A: Varsity letter standards vary from season to season. See a detailed explanation below.

Cross Country: Letters are awarded to the athletes who do one of the following: Compete in the GMC varsity race or compete in the State Sectional Championships, OR athletes who run the time standard during the season. The time standard can be achieved at Thompson Park or Holmdel Park at any point during the year. Boys: 18:15, Girls 22:30.

Winter Track & Field: Letters are awarded to the athletes who meet one or more of the event Time/Distance/Height standards specific to their events. Varsity standards are different from the Spring Track & Field Varsity Standards Athletes must also finish the season in good standing (attendance, attitude, effort)

Spring Track & Field: Letters are awarded to the athletes who meet one or more of the event Time/Distance/Height standards specific to their events. Varsity standards are different from the Winter Track Varsity Standards Athletes must also finish the season in good standing (attendance, attitude, effort)

Q: How long does the season last?

A: The season will typically start the first Monday after Thanksgiving and will go until late January / early February for all athletes except for a few Varsity team members. Seasons will be extended for those who make it past the first (Sectionals) and second round (Groups) of the State Championships, and possibly longer in certain circumstances (East Coast Championships / Nationals)

Q: Can I join Cross Country or Track if I get cut from another sport?

A: Yes. We encourage anyone and everyone to come out for the team. Everyone will get to compete at some point or another in Track & Field. In order to switch over from another sport, you must fill out a permission slip and hand it in to the athletic office. You will be expected to come over to Track within a day or two of being cut from your previous team or we will not allow you to join.