Updated Info, Including Meet Schedule!

Our Cross-Country coaching staff had our meeting with the Athletic Director today, here are some important updates regarding the fall.

REGISTRATION / BEFORE FIRST PRACTICE

The athletic department will post a link to (online) registration in the next few days. There will be three things required of all athletes in order to be cleared.

1 - COVID waiver form

2 - Permission form (the usual one)

3 - Updated Physical (“virtual physicals” don’t count)...Physical expire after 13 months, so make sure it’s current.

MAJOR CHANGE - All students will need to register BEFORE the first practice. No waiting around until the second week to decide if you’re joining, as was the case in the past. The only exception will be for students that switch from another fall sport they’ve already registered for. The date will be announced soon, but it will be before September 18th.

Good news - the user fee (normally $150 for the year) has been waived for all athletes this year!

PRACTICES

So typically we train in groups based on ability, and experience. However, the catch this year is the groups are going to be together for the non-running parts of the workout. When you jog your warmup, you’re with your group. When we do drills, we’ll have you scattered across the track or field, away from other groups.

The head coaches will directly supervise certain groups while the assistant coaches will supervise others. 

As far as we know, groups will not change during the season, so there’s a chance any time trial may be held on the first day in order to help facilitate proper group composition.

Do I Need To Wear A Mask While Running?

No, but the rest of the time you do. That includes if you arrive early or don’t get picked up right away.

Speaking of which

NO HANGING AROUND AFTER PRACTICE, ESPECIALLY IN GROUPS

I’ll do my best to have very specific projected end times for practice (which would be different for each group depending how far they’re running). If I say your group is going from 2:45-4, your ride should be able to get you within minutes of 4 p.m. If you’re waiting by yourself that’s fine, but no waiting in large groups, even if you’re each six feet apart. 

If students are hanging around together after practice while on school grounds, the coaches can remove them from the team if it becomes a repeated problem.

PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS

Girls XC runners are expected to attend four of six days each week. Typically weekday practices will be at 2:45 p.m., and Saturdays would be 9 a.m. (possibly off campus). Our meet days are on Tuesdays, so it’s expected that you wouldn’t miss Tuesdays. But athletes can do a “run on their own” day or two if necessary each week. This allowance has been made due to the fact that you are responsible for your own transportation to and from practice.

Please be sure to e-mail me to let me know if you can not attend particular days. This will help as I schedule training for groups, and set up groups.

MEET SCHEDULE

It’s posted on the top of the right-hand side of the website. Yes, there are a few “duplicates”, as Franklin is a home meet for the second year in a row, while we travel to Attleboro and Milford again. I’d assume starting next year they’ll revert back to the alternating approach.

The entire athletic department faces the same school each week. So when we face Attleboro October 6th, that week all the other teams (soccer, field hockey, golf) are only competing against Attleboro. This is to limit any potential spread if anyone tests positive for COVID from either school.

The Hockomock League is discussing having some form of postseason meet, as our season does technically extend until November 20th. Us coaches have a league meeting on the 16th, if any news arises from it I’ll pass it along.

I already covered in a post on the blog (which is still up there) how meets will be different, with your training groups starting at different intervals. There will still be JV options on some courses, too.

Our home course may be altered, as they want to avoid as many potential narrow spots as possible.

FUTURE UPDATES

I’ll post the link to registration once it’s available, and will also e-mail it out as well. Remember, there will be a very short “turnaround” time before it’s due. Any other updates I’ll post on the blog. As always, e-mail me (mkelley@tauntonschools.org) if you have any questions.