Big 9 Conference

Date: Tuesday, October 15

Dismissed/Bus at: Middle school dismissed at 1:20 for 1:30 bus departure. High school dismissed at 1:30 for 1:40 departure. Return by ~7:15

Northfield's Line Up: Box 2 for all races

• Boys: Martin, Nathan, AJ, Will B, Cullen M, Owen H, Will T. Alt #1: Sam F. Alt #2: Nik S
• Girls: Nicole T, Clara L, Erica, Adriana, Katie, Kyra, Clair. Alt #1: Clara M. Alt #2: Zoe G.

Race Times:

2:30 Course opens for inspection

3:00 Coaches Meeting

3:25 Varsity Girls—5,000 Meters (Max of 7 Entries)

3:55 Varsity Boys—5,000 Meters (Max of 7 Entries)

4:25 Junior Varsity Girls—5,000 Meters (Unlimited Entries)

5:00 Junior Varsity Boys—5,000 Meters (Unlimited Entries)

5:45 Team and Individual Awards

1-17 all conference for Boys (Top 7 receive medals) -18 to 25 are Honorable Mention

1-17 all conference for Girls (Top 7 receive medals) -18 to 25 are Honorable Mention

Coaches and Boys of Championship Team

Coaches and Girls of Championship Team

Your school will be notified by telephone prior to 11:00 A.M. on the day of the race if the meet has to be postponed due to inclement weather. The alternative meet day is the Wednesday of the same week.

Please stay off residential property adjoining the course. Also, do not walk, jog, or run on any of the putting surfaces or sand areas. We would like to keep the course in as good of shape as possible for the Section 1AA meet. Two golf carts will again be used for each race. One will go ahead of the runners, and one will stay behind the last runner and assist any injured participants. The course will be clearly marked. Runners who gain an unfair advantage over other competitors by deviating from the race lanes will be disqualified. The course will be marked with a double line at least five feet wide. Runners must stay within the marked path. Course guards are positioned at critical areas and are instructed to report the numbers of any runners who “cut.”

Teams with identical scores will have the tie broken by looking at the finish of the 6th runner for each team. It a team does not have a 6th runner, they automatically receive a lower meet finish position to the team with a 6th runner.

Contestant number & Chip: Assigned numbers must be worn on the front of the contestant’s jersey. The number must be securely pinned on the outside of the contestant’s shirt at chest level on the front, right side up.

Finish Chute: Chip timing with the chips in the bib will be used and interfaced with cameras to determine placement. The finish line is moved back this year so make sure your runners completely cross the mats in the finish area. Instruct runners to clear out of the finish area immediately and not to block the exit.

A certified athletic trainer will be available for all races. He/she will be stationed near the end of the finish chute.

Cross Country Uniform Rule Emphasis

The Cross Country uniform rule is primary for the management/administration of the meet and has nothing to do with an athlete’s performance. The rule aides the meet management by requiring school teams to dress in like uniforms (consistent in appearance) so that they are easily identifiable when on the course and in the finish area.

Rule Components:

1. Each competitor’s uniform shall consist of a full-length uniform top and bottom or one-piece uniform issued by the school. The uniform must be the same color and design for all team members.

2. The one-piece uniform, top and bottom may have school identification and the top may have the competitor’s name. The top cannot be knotted or have a knot-like protrusion.

3. The uniform bottom may vary in length and style. Loose-fitting, boxer-type bottoms or compression style bottoms are permitted for boys and girls. Closed-leg briefs are acceptable for girls.

4. French or high-cut apparel may be worn under the bottom, but not in lieu of the uniform bottom.

5. Uniforms must be worn as intended by the manufacturer. The waistband of the competitor’s shorts shall be worn above the hips and unrolled. There shall be no visible bare midriff while the athlete is in the standing position.

6. One manufacturer’s logo/trademark/reference, no more than 2 ¼ square inches with no dimension more than 2 ¼ inches, is permitted on each item of uniform—(top, bottom or one-piece uniform). The American flag, not exceeding 2 x 3 inches is also permitted. A commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on the uniform top or bottom with approval from the school administrative team (superintendent, principal, activities director). The intent of this rule is that the patch has a special meaning to the entire team, not just one person.

7. Any visible garment(s) worn by two or more team members underneath the uniform top and/or uniform bottom, extending below the knees, shall be unadorned (except for manufacturer’s logo and/or single school name or insignia with no dimension more than 2 ¼ inches) and of a single, solid color, but not necessarily the same length. Note that while the logo and color restrictions do not apply to visible garments worn under the uniform bottom that terminates above the knees, schools are encouraged (not required) to wear identical under garments.

8. Visible items worn under both the top and the bottom do not have to be the same color. If worn by more than one team member (two or more), that apparel must be the same color. Note that if more than one visible garment, which extends below the knees, is worn under the uniform top, all must be the same color.

NOTE INTERPRETATION: Undergarments displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the undergarment are legal as long as the stitching is used for construction of the garment and not design.

9. No clothing, hats or headgear displaying products, slogans, or graphic illustrations that are inappropriate to MSHSL principles will be acceptable. Coaches are responsible for proper team attire and should encourage uniformity on team dress.

10. Each competitor is required to wear shoes. Shoes must be worn on both feet and shall have an upper and definitely recognizable sole and heel. The upper must be designed so that it can be fastened securely to the foot. The sole and heel may contain grooves, ridges or track spikes which are no longer than 1 inch. The use of slippers or socks does not meet the requirements of the rule. Note: socks and shoe strings are not part of the required uniform.

11. Removing any part of the team uniform, excluding shoes, while in the area of competition, as defined by the games committee, shall lead to a warning and if repeated, to disqualification from the meet.

12. There are no restrictions for hair control devices. However, baseball hats, scarves, bandanas, do-rags, etc., shall not be worn during competition. Other prohibited items include GPS watches, face/body paint and/or stickers.

13. Arm warmers/lower leg warmers (i.e. skins) are legal and may be worn during a race unless the games committee determines otherwise. Note: arm warmers/lower leg warmers are not an undergarment nor are they part of the required uniform so the logo and color requirements for uniforms/undergarments do not apply.

14. Legal Medical Devices—Insulin Pumps—with approval from MSHSL, an insulin pump may be worn under the uniform, taped to the body and adequately padded. Athlete must present letter of approval to meet referee. Heart Monitor –with approval from MSHSL, a heart monitor may be worn. Athlete must present letter of approval to meet referee. Atomizer—only with physician’s statement documenting need. Athlete must present letter of approval to meet referee.

15. The head coach shall verify to meet officials either verbally or in writing that all of his/her competitors are in compliance with these rules. In the event of inclement weather, meet management may modify the uniform rule to allow competitors to wear school-approved warm-up suits, hooded sweatshirts, pullovers, sweat pants, hats/caps, gloves, long stockings, leotards, etc. All competitors are expected to present a personal appearance that will reflect the highest credit upon the sport and their school. The penalty for an illegal uniform: competitor(s) shall not be eligible for competition until their uniform is made legal.

Please Note: The clerk of course may exercise some preventive officiating by doing a uniform check prior to the race. Please note that the primary responsibility for adhering to the competition rules is that of the competitor and the competitor’s coach. While preventative officiating is permissible and even encouraged when applicable, it is not the primary duty of the meet official and in no way minimizes the responsibility of the competitors and coaches to know and abide by the rules.