A Few Notes About Tomorrow's Race

Parents:

• Just a reminder we're meeting at Troy tomorrow (to avoid any traffic jams at Learwood like we experienced Monday)
• We're bringing the water left in the cooler from tonight's team dinner, so kids will have access to cold water tomorrow after their races.
• We have QR codes set up on all three coaches' clipboards (Ferrari, Peepers, and Rocco)
• After both races are completed the three of us will head back to camp (we'll let everyone know where that is but you won't be able to miss our tents this season)
• You can use your phone to take a picture of the QR code, then you'll sign out electronically and we'll get your sign-out submitted onto a Google Spreadsheet
• We would like all athletes to cheer each other on until every Avon Laker has finished, but if that's not feasible tomorrow, Coach Ferrari will be at the finish line for both races 
• We will be taking two buses back as well so athletes can always ride the bus back to Troy
• We went over how meets are scored with the team, and they scored their own practice race last week, so your child should be able to explain how it works
• However, here's a pretty good video explaining how it works (certain runners score, other runners work for a potential tie, and other runners 'push back' other team's runners): HOW A CROSS COUNTRY MEET IS SCORED

Athletes:

• Bring two masks! 
• Both teams need to come up with a team chant this season, so make sure this is done prior to getting to the start line
• Get some rest, try not to get too nervous for the first race! But if you are nervous, just remember the feeling of accomplishment, pride, and camaraderie you'll have after your race will dwarf any nervous feelings you'll have before the race. It will be worth it. 
• See you all tomorrow morning!

Modified Schedule: Tuesday-Friday of this week

We're going to modify our practice schedule so we can better deal with the heat. Here's what we're thinking:

• Tuesday 8/24             Kopf (meet at library)     8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Wednesday 8/25       ALHS Track                       8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Thursday 8/26            Learwood                        3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
• Friday 8/27                 Learwood                        3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
• We'll have a short run, then team meeting
• After the meeting we'll have our team dinner

Thursday's Practice

Hey everyone, there are a few things about today's practice I'd like to preview with you:

• FIRST: If you have an idea for a quote for our team, make sure to fill out the Google Form and submit it today!
• We'll meet at ALHS (caboose) at 3 p.m.
• We might be done by 4:15 p.m., but that's just our best guess.
• Bring water!
• Regular practice attire should be worn, do NOT wear your uniform.
• Regular running shoes should be worn, do NOT wear spikes.
• We'll start and finish the race behind the stadium, and you'll run through Kopf Reservation.
• We'll gather the teams together, figure out who's in attendance, and adjust teams accordingly.
• Coach Peepers will be leading everyone on his bike, but make sure to be aware of others in the park...look both ways when you make a turn.
• You are racing today! So make sure to run your hardest. Pace yourself as best you can, then on the final stretch back to the stadium, you can start your kick.
• When you finish the race, one coach will yell out your time (this is only for you, we won't be documenting times today...it's a 1.8-mile run not 2.0 miles).
• Another coach will give you a card with your place on it, keep that card. 
• Cheer on your teammates after you finish.
• Gather your team together and stay together. 
• Once everyone is back from your team, add up the places (points) on your cards, then double-check your math. 
• Report your score to Coach Rocco, and once we get all scores we'll have our awards ceremony.
• (There will be no actual awards, we'll just go over the places of each team)
• After the 'ceremony' you will stretch-down and then we'll see everyone tomorrow!

Lastly, the coaching staff would like to hold a brief 5-minute meeting with all runners who ran on the team last year.

See you all later today!

Cross Country T-shirt Quotes

 If you would like to submit t-shirt quotes for our optional apparel, click HERE