Welcome to Mandarin High School’s Cross-Country Program. We are in the
process of building the best running program in the state and we welcome you
as a prospective member of our team. Cross-Country is a sport that will
challenge the most disciplined athlete. It is also a sport that enables the
least talented athlete to participate and see growth and success. Cross–
Country is about desire, discipline, fire, and guts. It is a sport where
the most skilled athlete might fail because he does not possess the strength
to push himself to his limits. Jack London wrote that he would “rather be
ashes than dust.” Within these words lies the core of my coaching
philosophy. You must press in cross-country from the first day of
conditioning to the final seconds of your last meet. To leave nothing
behind is our belief. The end depends upon the beginning. To achieve
great things you must first consider the possibilities, and then set
yourself to the task of accomplishing greatness.
We look forward to seeing new, developing athletes at our conditioning
sessions, and as part of our team. Please contact me, if you have any
questions about the program.
-Coach JG Schmitt
What is
Cross-Country?
It
is not road racing, or track and field. It takes place in the fall, while
track is in the spring. It is a 5,000 meter (3.1 mile) race over varying
terrain (grass, dirt, mud, woods). It is the quintessential team sport. In
varsity races, seven athletes compete with five included in the scoring.
Like golf, low score wins. Your team’s top five places are added together
for your team score.
The
Ultimate Team Sport
Cross-country is the ultimate team sport. It centers around a group of
dedicated young men or women who work together to succeed in middle distance
running. It is an essential sport for any athlete (basketball, soccer,
baseball, track) who wants to develop stamina, increase speed, or
participate in a varsity sport with an opportunity to make lasting
friendships and become part of the high school experience.
Conditioning and Season
The Cross-country pre- season begins with conditioning and a parent’s
meeting on May 28 at the UNF Trails. We condition to develop a baseline of
stamina and teamwork that will carry over into the season. Our conditioning
routine has the team meeting at various parks and trails throughout the
county, with a planned camping trip to North Carolina to develop hill
training, establish team goals, and increase stamina.
The Cross-country in season practices begin in August and end with the State
Championship Meet in November. During the season, you will be involved in
numerous invitational meets, overnight travel to Tampa, and North Carolina
for meets, and our annual 24 Hour Run. The team policy is simple: work
hard, attend practice, sacrifice for the team, and you will improve and grow
as a team member. The only athletes cut are those who fail to follow this
policy.
Come out and be a part of our exciting and growing program as we continue to
improve as one of the best distance programs in the state.
General Information and schedule for Summer Conditioning:
May 28: Conditioning
9:00AM @ UNF Trails/ Parent’s Meeting and Mini-Brunch @ 10:30AM
June 11: Run for the Pies
7:00PM @ the Landing
June 18: Ravines Four
Miler 7:00pm in Middleburg
June 25-July 4: No team conditioning
July 9-15: Cross-Country
Camping Trip
July 30:
End of Summer Run and Picnic @ Guana River
Summer Training Schedule
Monday-Wednesday: 10:00AM @ UNF Trails
Thursday: 6:00PM @ The Landing/Ice Cream Bridge Run
Saturday: 9:00AM Trail Runs @ various Trails and Parks
Some Other Guidelines
You will need to
invest in a good pair of training shoes. First Place Sports gives a
discount to Mandarin H.S. Runners
Hydration is
essential. You must drink a minimum of 2 liters of water each day, in
addition to water consumed during practice and conditioning.
Rest and sleep
are essential to growth and recovery. Early to bed is a must.
Eat healthy.
Four to five healthy meals a day plus appropriate snacks will make you
better prepared for conditioning and life.
