Competitive Cross Country - Fall 2024
*****Subject to Change******
Updated August 14
| If you missed the Zoom Info Meeting hosted by the Cross Country coaches on Monday, May 13, you can watch the recording. |
NEW THIS YEAR! TRYOUTS!
Like all other competitive sports, 2024 Cross Country will have mandatory tryouts!
Overview
Competitive Cross Country consists of weekly practices and up to five regular season meets plus the opportunity to advance to the Regionals and State Meets. Cross Country is open to all rising 7th-12th grade students. Cross Country is a very rigorous sport that requires a high level of consistent dedication. Cross Country runners qualify for each meet based on their participation, effort, coachability, and qualifying times.
Although there will not be official practices during the summer, Cross Country runners are expected to train independently and follow the Summer Conditioning Schedule. There will be practices and meets during Fall Break. Cross Country runners are expected to be available for ALL practices and meets.
Meridian Cross Country has experienced much success in the league!
- 2015, 9th-10th Girls Cross Country State Champion
- 2019, Girls Middle School Premiere State Runner-Up
- 2021, Girls Varsity State Runner-Up
Important Dates
Tuesday, April 30 - Registration ($52.30) opens for 2024 season.
Wednesday, May 8 at 9:00 p.m. - Registration ($52.30) ends for the 2024 season.
Wednesday, July 24 - Late registration ($104.60) opens.
Thursday, August 1 - Late registration ($104.60) ends at 9 p.m.
Thursday, August 1 - Physical forms due for tryouts. Learn more.
Saturday, August 10 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. - Mandatory Tryouts at San Gabriel Park. (Must be registered and physically eligible.)
Saturday, August 10 by 2 p.m. - Tryout results posted on Tryouts webpage by tryout number.
Saturday, August 10 by 6 p.m. - Participation fee invoices issued via MySchoolBucks
Monday, August 12 by 12 p.m. - Participation fee invoices are due.
Monday, August 12 - Practices start. (Must be financially eligible to participate.)
Saturday, September 28 - Regionals
Saturday, October 12 - TCSAAL State Meet (during Fall Break)
Season Goals
Team Goals:
- Support your teammates
- Communicate and socialize. Yes, running can be fun!
- Push each other to be better.
Individual Goals:
- Give your best effort, have a positive attitude, be on time, and attend all practices.
- Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself to injury.
- Challenge yourself! Improve your times and become faster.
Coaches
- High School - Nick Manuszak, [email protected]
- Middle School - Tamra Burwick, [email protected]
See Coaches.
Tryouts
Students interested in participating in 2024 Cross Country are required to participate in tryouts on Saturday, August 10.
Practices
Although there will not be official practices during the summer, Cross Country runners are expected to train independently and follow the Summer Conditioning Schedule. Practices start on Monday, August 12. There will be practices and meets during Fall Break.
Middle school participants are expected to practice with the team twice a week. High school participants are expected to practice with the team three times a week. Find the 2024 Cross Country Practice Schedule.
Meets
Students must qualify for each meet. Practice participation, effort, sportsmanship and performance will determine qualification for meets.
- Runners are expected to attend all meets!
- If you do not attend the required practices, you will not be entered in the next meet.
- If you are a no show to the meet, you will not be entered in the next meet.
- Fall Break Meets - It is standard that we have meets that coincide with Fall Break. Our biggest meets of the season, Regionals and State always fall during Fall Break. The coaches and team are counting on you to show up, so please put the meets before fall break vacation plans.
The 2024 Cross Country Meet schedule is finalized but remains subject to change.
See 2024 Meets
Equipment
To help Cross Country participants be prepared for their season, lists of required and optional Equipment are available.
Fees
Please see 2024 Cross Country Fees.
Please email questions to Meridian Athletics.
Registration
Late registration was available starting on Wednesday, July 24 and ended at 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 1. No registrations will be accepted after the late registration window.
Lettering Requirements
Lettering in an extracurricular activity is reserved for the highest level of participation. For Cross Country, this means participating in the Varsity races in at least half of all regular season meets in which Meridian High School Cross Country participates. Visit Letter Jackets & Lettering for more information, including the 2023-2024 Lettering Requirements. The 2024-2025 Lettering Requirements will be published in September.
Questions
Please send questions to Meridian Athletics.