Incoming 8th Grader – XC Info

June 6, 2025

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening to all the Incoming 8th graders - soon to be 9th graders!

As we start to wrap up the school year for High School and Middle School families.  I wanted to reach out and touch base with you about Cross Country.  I wanted to invite you all to our Pre-Season Meeting this Sunday!  I would love the opportunity to tell you more about the sport and the team!

Cross Country really starts over the summer so we want to start getting ready for the Fall and I hope you are excited.

Summer is our PREPARATION PHASE for the Fall Season of Cross Country.  Here is a good article about Summer Training to help you understand more about the purpose and the benefits of Summer Training.  MileSplit Summer Training Article

Secondly, I wanted to pass along the preseason handout.  This will walk you through almost everything you need to do to get great ready for the Fall Season.  This is very important that you read through this handout.  Preseason Handout CLICK HERE

 

Pre-Season Meeting

We will have our Team Meeting after the 8th grade orientation.  We have Lots to cover and lots to get excited about!

    1.  Please mark your calendar for the following VIRTUAL Meeting Date:  Sunday, June 8 @ 5pm.  XC PreSeason Meeting
      Sunday, June 8 · 5:00 – 6:00pm
      Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vcb-wswc-ovr 
    2. Make Sure you have read all of the below information and handouts.
    3. If you are new to the team, join the remind text message group (parents and athletes) and the groupme (athletes only) - information in the preseason handout.
    4. Get your physicals scheduled for the FALL
    5. RUN DAILY!

Reminders:

      1. All paperwork must be submitted online.  A parent must submit this online through HCPSS Connect.  This should be done before Wednesday, August 14th.  Your name should be on the Eligibility Paperwork list and listed as clear in GREEN.  Once I get paperwork for athletes, I will start updating this Roster Sheet.  (CLICK HERE)
      2. PLEASE get your physical done asap!  This will be the biggest issue as we approach the start of the season.
      3. Summer Training
        • We explain all of this at our meeting!  Do not feel overwhelmed or nervous!  Our sport is all about progression.  It does not matter where you start, its about how you progress!
        • Weekly Schedule for Summer Training, Calendar/Workouts:  CLICK HERE
        • Summer Training Overview:  CLICK HERE
        • Summer Mileage Tracker:  CLICK HERE
        • Summer Striders:  It is really important we not only work together as a team to train, but also use the resources around us to get better!  The summer striders provides an opportunity to not only run with a good group, but also helps to get us out of our comfort zone.  I plan to attend practices on Monday's and Wednesday.  I hope you will join me.  Summer Striders Registration Link:  CLICK HERE
        • Go to Shippensburg XC Camp!  Would love to see more Athletes attend Camp!  Shippensburg Cross Country Camp (July 13 - July 17): https://shipcrosscountrycamps.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT
      4. August Practice Schedule:
        • August 13 - 15 (Reservoir):  FIRST TEAM PRACTICE 7:00am – 9:00am
        • August 16 (Patuxent Valley Middle School):  8:00am - 10:00am
        • August 18 - 21 (Reservoir):  5:45am - 7:45am
        • August 20:  Beaver Dam Trip (Possibly)
        • August 22 (Reservoir):  4:30pm - 7:30pm REQUIRED Team Time Trial
        • August 23 (Patuxent Valley Middle School):  8:00am - 10:00am
        • August 25 (Reservoir):  Normal team Practice from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.  We will try to end closer to 4:30/4:45pm when possible.  Weekly summaries will come out each week to help you with scheduling pickups.
      5. Each practice, be sure to show up with water and/or Gatorade, running shoes, etc.  Also recommended, a change in T-Shirt for after your run, towel to use/sit on, change of socks, and/or slides for after your run, and a snack.  Also recommended a running watch.
      6. Per Policy, every athlete is required to have 20 supervised days of practice prior to their first play date.
        • Our First meet is September 6th at River Hill HS.  Meaning if you miss more than 2 practices between August 13th and September 6th you will not be able to run in the first meet.
        • Our Second meet is September 13th.  Meaning if you miss more than 9 practices between August 13th and September 13th, you will not be able run in the first or the second meet.
      7. The Team Time Trial on August 22nd is a REQUIREMENT.
      8. Make Sure YOU REGISTER FOR SUMMER STRIDERS:  CLICK HERE
      9. MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER for Shippensburg XC Camp:  July 13 - July 17 (CLICK HERE)