2020 Cross Country Sign-Ups & REMIND Information

2020 Cross Country Sign-Ups

Welcome to the 2020 Avon Lake (Learwood) Cross Country season! The coaching staff is glad you're interested in joining the team! You can sign up for the team (make sure you're logged into your Google account): HERE

Usually we hold meetings at Learwood for incoming 8th graders and at Troy for incoming 7th graders, so bear with us as we get the word out differently this year.

There is a lot I can say about our season and the fun things we plan for the team as we gear up for our season. However, there also is a lot I don't know about this particular season. Once I find out information about what we are able to do to--and what we must do as a staff--to begin our season, I will communicate that with everyone. 

With that said, at this time we're not committing to certain dates/times. I would like to start meeting the last week of June, but once I get confirmation we are able to do that I'll send out our pre-season schedule and we will begin the process of commencing with our season.

One thing I can tell everyone is that cross country is a really fun sport! It's one of those sports that kids will tell us was a lot more fun than they thought it would be, and it's definitely unique from other sports in that we get to train and compete in a lot of different locations. You get in great shape, maintain a healthy lifestyle, make new friends, and learn how to push yourself and your teammates! We've also had a lot of success the past several seasons so you'd be a part of a great program!

REMIND INFORMATION
REMIND is limiting its participants to 150 per group, and with both athletes and parents signing up, we're most likely going to exceed that amount. So, here's what we're going to do:

• We're going to set up two classes, one for each grade level (we'll send the same texts to each group)
• GRADE 7 team members, text @alcc7 to the number 81010 to receive texts
• GRADE 8 team members, text @alcc8 to the number 81010 to receive texts
• 8th graders, if you were on the team last year and had already signed up for REMIND, I already moved you to the 8th grade REMIND so you don't have to sign up again (it's just for new 8th graders joining the team)
• If you would like to remove yourself from REMIND, reply LEAVE @alcc7 or @alcc8 to the latest text message
• If you have any questions, email me at rob.rocco@avonlakecityschools.org

If you have any questions, please let us know! We'll be sending more information regarding our season once we find out!

High School Cross Country Sign-ups

8th Graders:

For those interested in running cross country at the high school, please contact Coach Juergens by providing the following information:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Athlete E-mail
• Parent E-mail

Email this information to: avonlakexc@gmail.com

I would sign up soon as I know they are planning on starting pre-season conditioning earlier than normal (with the cancellation of Spring Sports). 

Any questions regarding sign-ups, the high school season, and training should be directed to Coach Juergens via the email provided.

Second Sole

Avon Lake Runners:

Second Sole has been very supportive of our program, other programs in the Cleveland area, and many individuals within our running community for a long time. We would like to do what we can to help them weather this storm. Currently, they cannot have customers in the store but are still offering ways to get running supplies to people. We encourage you to take advantage of these options if you need shoes, clothing, etc. Buying gift certificates to give to family and friends will also go a long way. Here are some options:

1. Call 440-895-1311 for assistance, curbside pick-up, or free delivery
2. Send an email to bill@2ndsole.com with questions and orders
3. Search on Facebook for '2nd Sole-Lakewood, OH'

They are also now offering a virtual shoe fit on their website:

http://www.2ndsole.com/virtual-shoe-fit.html

Avon Lake vs. Avon Concussion Baseline Challenge

Hey Guys:

First, I hope everyone is healthy and staying safe during this difficult time. I also want to reach out to you to let you know that Avon Lake High School is competing against Avon High School to see which school can complete the most concussion baseline tests by Friday, May 1st. This challenge is extended to all 8th graders who need to complete this online test as they enter high school in the fall (it is not intended for 7th graders). Even though we cannot physically compete against them right now, we still have the opportunity to capture a win by beating them in this challenge. The losing athletic training staff must have their picture taken in the other school's football jersey.

Here's the link with instructions for testing: ImPACT Online Instructions

Stay safe and healthy, and hope to see you all some time in the summer as we gear up for cross country season!

Coach Rocco

ALHS Appreciation Take-Out All Day Long

Hillsdale College Nike Track & Field Camp

I just got an email from Hillsdale College about their 2020 NIKE Running Camp this summer. I'm not sure of the status of the camp due to the current coronavirus pandemic, but thought I'd pass the information along should you be interested.

Track & Field- https://www.ussportscamps.com/running/nike/nike-track-field-camp-hillsdale-college
Cross Country- https://www.ussportscamps.com/running/nike/nike-cross-country-camp-hillsdale-college

Here's some information about the camp:

NIKE TRACK & FIELD CAMPS
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
Directed by Andrew Towne, Head Track & Field & Cross Country Coach 
Jessica Bridenthal, Assistant Track & Field Coach, at Hillsdale College, and their top-notch staff.

• 2020 CAMP DATES: JUNE 24-27, JULY 8-11 & July 12-15
• ALL SKILLS: Co-ed | Ages 12-18
• PRICES: Overnight: $575 | Extended Day: $465

From June 24 to June 27th, July 10th to July 13th, or  July 14th to 17th... you'll receive:

• Access to one of the Most-Popular NIKE Track & Field/Cross Country Camps in the US on the beautiful Hillsdale College campus
• Access to Olympic-Caliber Training Facilities- including track surfaces that appeared at the 2016, 2012, 2004 and the 2000 Olympic Games
• State-of-the-Art, Personalized Training from NCAA Div. I, II, and III coaches with a camper-to-coach ratio of less than 10:1
• Detailed Video Analysis
• Fresh Daily Meals in the Grewcock Student Center
• Nike T-Shirt

Hill Work Sessions

We are wrapping up our pre-season running, as I'll be transitioning to the high school for Track & Field conditioning. So, we will be ending our winter running sessions. However, we will be starting our hill work sessions at the Rocky River Metro-Parks (Emerald Necklace Marina). 

We will be meeting on Saturdays throughout the months of February & March:

• Saturday, February 22nd
• Saturday, February 29th
• Saturday, March 7th
• Saturday, March 14th
• Saturday, March 21st
• Saturday, March 28th
• SATURDAY, APRIL 4th...Mark your calendars: Avon Lake Track Invitational! 

We will be taking a bus to the metro-parks to do our hill work sessions. Here are the details:

• Meet at ALHS at 9:50 a.m.
• We should arrive at Rocky River by 10:30 a.m.
• We will be STARTING our hill work training (so you should be there if you are in town...don't worry if you haven't been running, we're just beginning our training for the upcoming season)
• Practice should last between 45 minutes to an hour
• We'll return to ALHS no later than noon
• I'll send a REMIND text with an ETA of our return

Bring a hat, gloves, water, dress in layers!

Looking forward to seeing everyone as we gear up for track season! Go Avon Lake Track & Field!