McCullough Highlanders

Boys

Cross Country

2014-2015

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach - Edgar Cantu

• 14 year coaching experience

• 8 year military service

• 2003 Operation Enduring Freedom / Afghanistan

• B.A. in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University

• SHSU Cross Country & Track Teams

Coaching Staff

• Assistant Coach – Matt Klotz

• 5 year coaching experience

Topics of Discussion• Academics• What is Cross Country?• Program History• Team Rules/ Policies/ Conduct• Class Requirements• Attendance• Grading Criteria• Practice Schedule• Locker Room Procedures• Equipment• Nutrition• Running camps• Physicals• Sports outside of Cross Country• Booster Club

Cross Country

• Long distance competitive running, training ,and racing.

• Competitive races are two miles long.• Competitive races are held on fields that are on

flat, hilly, grassy, sandy, and/or muddy surfaces.

• Training is very demanding, physical, and rigorous.

• Requires strong courage, commitment, discipline, and dedication.

Program History

• High School• 17 State Championships• Numerous All-Americans• Has produced many runners who have run in

college.• Coached by Dan Green and now Juris Green• Junior High• Established in 2005• 7th & 8th Grade District Champions since 2005

Class Requirements

• 7th graders have to be able to run under 16 minutes for 2 miles without walking by the first week of school to remain in the class.

• 8th graders have to be able to run under 14 minutes for 2 miles without walking by the first week of school to remain in the class.

• Students who fail to meet the class requirements will be moved into regular P.E.

Academics

• Priority

• High Standards

• Students have to pass classes.

• Students who fails to maintain passing grades on a regular basis will not be on the team as an 8th grader.

Grades/ Class Attendance

• Unexcused Before School Absent = 0%

• Excused Before School Absent = X

• Does not participate in class = 0%

• Does not participates but has a doctor’s/parent note = X

• 3 or more consecutive days without practicing will require a doctors note.

Grades

• Participates in class = 100%

• Overall grade will consist of before school practice and participation grade in class

• Before School Grade + Glass Grade = %

• Then divided by two = Overall Daily Grade

Before School Attendance

• Is required and expected for all students in the class. It is part of their participation grade for the class.

• It will be year around. We will continue to practice before school even after our season (Aug. – Oct.) has finished. Coach must be notified by email prior to 8:30 am, on the day the student is absent in order to be excused.

Athlete Misbehavior

• 1st Offense – Student/ Coach Meeting.• 2nd Offense – Phone call/ Email to parent and

the student will have to perform extra physical work in class.

3rd Offense – Referral and meeting with Assistant Principal. This will result in student’s suspension from team activities which include before school and competitions.

3 or more referrals results in 2 days of ISS.

Forgetting Supplies

• 1st time – Student /Coach Meeting and a phone call email to parent. The student will be given an assignment to complete in class. Receive a 0.

• 2nd time – Referral and the student will be placed ISS for the class period. They will receive a grade of zero for their participation grade and will not be allowed to compete at the upcoming competition.

• Three or more referrals will result in two days of ISS

Equipment

• Running Shoes

• Running Shorts

• Light colored T-shirt/ Dri- Fit Shirt

• Socks

• Clean clothes to change into.

Practice Schedule

• 7th Graders will practice before school on Red days only from 6:45 – 8:00am.

• 7th Graders will practice in class during their 4th Block class on Green Days.

• 8th Graders will practice before school on Green Days only from 6:45 – 8:00am

• 8th Graders will practice in class during their 4th Block class on Red Days.

Practice Schedule

• We run 6 days a week

• Saturday – Run at Home

• Sunday – Recovery Day

• Year around ( August –June)

• Summer mornings

• 3 week break in October

• 3 week break in April

Training

• 7th Grade

• -30 to 35 miles weekly• - shortest run is 2 miles• -longest run is 7 miles• - fast pace runs (intervals, tempo runs, repeats, &

fartleks)• -track, running course, and off-campus

Training

• 8th Grade

• - 35 to 42 miles weekly• - shortest run is 3 miles• -longest run is 10 miles• - fast pace runs (intervals, tempo runs, repeats, &

fartleks)• -track, running course, off- campus

Locker Room

• Lockers with combinations will be assigned.

• Must shower (Open showers) in the morning.

• Will need a towel to donate, body wash, shampoo, shower sandals, deodorant & clean clothes to change into.

• Must secure and put away their items in their locker.

Nutrition/ Hydration

drink 64 oz. Of water daily.

drink electrolyte beverages.

avoid caffeine drinks

3 healthy meals ( high on carbohydrates) a day, with healthy snacks in between.

8 hours of sleep.

Meet Requirements

• Earn a uniform.• Be at practice daily.• Finish runs/workouts.• No unexcused absent for the week.• No more than 2 excused absences for the week. • Good standing in the classroom and with

teachers.• Expected to perform and compete each day at

practice.

Physicals

• Every athlete has to have take one in order to participate.

• Have to be turned in order to be allowed to participate by the first day of school.

• If a students does not have a physical after the first week of school, they will be moved into P.E.

• Physical Night at TWHS on May 21st

Other Sports

• 50/ 50 effort on athlete's part.

• Do not use XC solely to get in shape for another sport.

• Will not alternate training plan in order to accommodate student's outside sport.

• Be in cross country to compete and represent McCullough at competitions.

Booster Club

• Not mandatory to join, but highly encouraged to do so.

Spring Running Camps

• Dates: • Session I – March 31st – April 10th (Monday –Thursday)• Session II – April 21st – May 1st (Monday – Thursday)• Session III – May 12th – May 22nd (Monday – Thursday)• Time: 5 pm – 6 pm• Location: McCullough Junior High• Place: Stadium Track• Registration: On Site• Cost: $65 per camp• Eligible Participants: Current 6th graders and new 7th

Summer Running Camps

• Distance Training CampSession I- June 9 - July 3(Monday – Thursday)

• Session II- July 14 - August 7 (Monday – Thursday)

• McCullough Junior High / Woodlands High School

• 7:30-8:30 for 8th grade runners 8:30-9:30 5th - 7th grade runners

Cost is $85 per camper

Highlander Standards

• Excel Academically

• Be Competitive

• Be Respectful

• Be Accountable

• Be Responsible

• Be Commited

• Have a Strong Work Ethic