Meet times are at 3:45 p.m., unless otherwise specified.

Code for the students-only Google classroom: h477zuc6

Important Dates

• August 18: Practice is 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the auxiliary gym, Monday-Thursday, and 6:45-7:30 a.m. Fridays the FIRST TWO WEEKS ONLY. It will be Monday-Thursday for the remainder of the season. (All forms are due BEFORE you practice and must be submitted online.) All athletes MUST be picked up at the Pool/Activities Entrance, unless the student is a biker or walker.
• August 19: Parent Meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Academic Policy

All students will be expected to be at practice and maintain Ds or above in all classes. If a runner experiences a time conflict, they are responsible for making their coach aware.

Requirements

• The season starts Aug. 18 and will continue for six weeks.
• All runners will need a physical on file (submitted online) before practices begin.
• All runners MUST attend AT LEAST 12 practices before they can compete in a meet. We will have 13 practices BEFORE our first meet.
• Experience is not required!
• Please make sure that you have transportation arranged for your athlete to be picked up every day from practice at 4:30 p.m. at the pool/activities entrance.

Philosophy

Cross-country is a team sport that fosters a positive environment for all athletes. We support, encourage, and cheer on our teammates and athletes from other schools. At Frontier Trail, we encourage a healthy lifestyle that focuses on the success of the student and athlete.

Attendance

Cross-country is an intramural sport for sixth graders, then seventh and eighth graders follow the KSSHA rules at the middle school level in Olathe. The focus is on participation and improving physical fitness as well as general health. Practices are Monday through Thursday (we will practice the first two Fridays), 3:30-4:30 p.m. All our athletes are expected to be at practice every day and should plan to compete at all the meets on the schedule. Of course, there will be circumstances that will arise in which athletes or parents should email one of the coaches as they come up. Coaches must know of an excused absence prior to practice. After three unexcused absences, the athlete will be dismissed from the team.

Discipline

If an athlete receives a detention during the season, the athlete will notify a coach and serve the detention during practice. If the athlete receives an office referral or more than one detention during the season, then the athlete’s participation in the upcoming meet will be discussed. Headphones will not be allowed at practice.

Bring to Practice

Comfortable running shoes, shorts/sweats, T-shirt, and water bottle

Food and Hydration

Athletes need to make sure that they are eating healthy, well-balanced meals. Make sure that your student has a light breakfast the morning of Saturday meets.

Hydration is a major issue for everyone, but runners have to pay extra attention to drinking enough water. Students should drink water throughout the day to prepare them for practice and then be sure to replace the fluids lost at practice. On race day, athletes should drink only water before races. Sports drinks can cause cramps if consumed before the race because of their high sugar and sodium levels.

Injuries and Prevention

In distance running, sometimes athletes come down with injuries. Most running injuries happen when training habits outpace the body’s capability to produce new muscle cells. A well-planned training program allows your muscles to go through natural, sequential stages of growth. By using correct running techniques, you will prevent injuries and dramatically improve your athletic performance. Please let the coaches know if your student complains of any leg/knee pain. Listen to your coaches and follow the practice plan. If the athlete uses an inhaler, it is their responsibility to carry it with them while running. Athletes who need an inhaler and fail to bring it to practice will not be allowed to practice; a parent will need to pick them up.

Meets

At middle school cross-country meets, the eighth graders will run two miles and the sixth and seventh graders will run one mile. Sixth grade girls run first, then sixth grade boys. Next, the seventh grade girls run, followed by the seventh grade boys. The eighth grade girls and boys run combined last. The athletes need to wear the uniform top that is checked out to them for each meet. Transportation to the Twilight meet will be the parents’ responsibility. Meets are typically one hour long. In case of inclement weather, please watch the Frontier Trail website and Twitter page for cancellation news.

Information

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students can participate in cross-country. All students are required to have a physical on file before practice begins. The physical must be dated after May 1, 2025. Upload your physical to ParentVUE at least one week prior to the first day of practice. Make sure you complete a concussion form, substance abuse form and transportation form.

All sporting events are included in the school website calendar.