1. Olathe South XC Parent Meeting
August 22, 2017

2. Introductions Zach Pope – Head coach Lauren Jaqua – Assistant coach
Scott Quaife – Assistant coach
Jordin Brouhard – Athletic trainer

3. Welcome and Thank You!
Thank you so much for the support, time, and energy you all provide.
We could not run this program successfully without all of you!

4. Program Expectations
1. Show respect to your coaches, teammates, parents, fans, and other team’s runners at all times. Don’t do anything that would embarrass yourself or your team. We are all representatives of Olathe South High School.
2. Attendance at practice is mandatory unless:
-You have discussed the absence with Coach Pope ahead of time AND
-You have provided a written ( or text) excuse from a parent
If you become sick the day of practice, you need to talk to or one of the coaches to let us know AND provide a written excuse from a parent later that evening
-Being injured is NOT an excuse to not come to practice (unless told do stay home by Coach Pope)

5. Program Expectations
3. Persistent unexcused lateness will not be tolerated. We will start practice at 3:30 pm.
4. You are expected to try YOUR best at ALL times. Not everyone can be THE fastest, but everyone can be THEIR fastest.
5. Maintain good academic standing in the classroom. Your effort and results in this area are as important (if not more so) to the success of our program than what you do on the cross country course.
6. There will be no drinking, smoking, or drug use on this team. The Olathe School District’s substance abuse policy will be strictly enforced.

6. Program Expectations
7. Coaches will make all decisions about meet entries. Most of the time this will be based primarily on performances and times at past meets but attitude, attendance, and effort may come into play as well when deciding Varsity, JV, and C team spots.
8. WE ARE A TEAM SPORT! Therefore, all runners are expected to stay for the entire length of meets unless there is a valid reason that has been pre-approved by a coach. Runners are expected to cheer on teammates who are in other races. All athletes are expected to ride the bus both directions unless approval has been given by a coach for an athlete to ride home with their parent. This is a safety issue as much as anything.
9. Have fun! This should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all involved. There is nothing better than being part of a team, surrounded by positive and supportive people. The work is hard but the benefits are huge!

7. Necessary Equipment Running watch
Important for training runs. We often run by time, not distance
Water bottle
We will often provide water on the trail during runs but not always
Bottles that you can carry easily are best
Racing spikes
Very helpful for footing and speed during races
Highly recommended, especially if your child is someone who wants to run on the varsity (or upper JV) level

8. Running Shoes
Good training shoes are the most important piece of equipment you have in XC.
Please spend the money for good ones. You get what you pay for!!
**Basketball shoes and tennis shoes are NOT a suitable replacement**
You would not go into a football game without the proper helmet and pads; do not attempt to train as a distance runner in old or inappropriate shoes. A good pair of running shoes is the best way to stay injury free!
I would strongly recommend buying your shoes from a running specific store such as Gary Gribbles as they will have the best selection as well as most knowledgeable sales team.
Run around the store (or outside if they let you) to get a feel for the shoes
Never buy shoes because they look “cool". Buy them because they are the right shoe for your foot

9. Garry Gribble’s Running Sports
119TH & QUIVIRA in the Stoll Park Shopping Center
As in the past Gary Gribbles will be offering a discount to metro area cross country team participants. Shop for training shoes and spikes and receive a discount just by telling them you run high school cross country in the area. Training shoes will be 10% off, spikes 15%. The exact dates on these discounts change from year to year but they are generally going until the middle of September.
Bring your current/old shoes with you because seeing the wear patterns help in selecting the correct new shoes.

10. OSXC Night at Gary Gribble’s (1st Annual)
Tomorrow night (August 23rd)!!
7 – 8 pm
All OSXC runners, coaches, and family members will receive a 20% discount on EVERYTHING in the store (including items already on sale!)
Training shoes, spikes, shorts, shirts, tops, socks, water bottles, etc.
One night only
Bring the entire family and shop for your running needs!!

11. Injuries, Diet, Sleep, etc.
Most can be avoided with good shoes and proper stretching…but not all
If an injury pops up, talk to a coach first. Make sure you still come to practice!!
Athlete will be advised to ice and stretch
We may refer the athlete to see the trainer depending on the injury
Diet
“Seafood Diet” – see food, eat it
Nearly impossible for our athletes to be eating “too much”
We don’t want them losing a bunch of weight in season
A daily multivitamin is also not a bad idea
Sleep
Vitally important to staying healthy
Please encourage your child to get plenty of sleep each night
7 - 9 hours each night would be ideal

12. Hydration
The athletes MUST be hydrating properly throughout the season, especially during the warmer early weeks, if they are to run safely and effectively
Water is the absolute best for hydrating
Gatorade and Powerade can be good for post race/practice runs to help with recovery but should not replace water throughout the day
I highly recommend that athletes carry a water bottle with them throughout the day during school and fill it up times
Athletes urine should be a very light yellow or clear – darker urine means the athlete is already dehydrated

13. 2017 Meet Schedule
*We may be taking some of the varsity runners to the Rim Rock Classic on this day again like we did last year. This would be the only time we split the teams.
More details will be provided in the near future.

14. Pasta Dinners http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4bada62da6f85-pasta1
These are held the night before every meet
The purpose is to help our kids “carbo load” before they compete
We ask that one parent hosts the dinner at their house and 5 parents volunteer to bring food
We still need hosts for a few of the dinners (and lots of food volunteers!!)
To sign up, please go to our Sign Up Genius page:
**This link is also posted on our team website in the “Info For Parents and Athletes” section**

15. Snack Bags
These are given to the kids before each meet. Meets can be 5 or 6 hour events and the kids can get pretty hungry.
All snack bag items come from parent donations
Tonya Tavernaro will be in charge of organizing these this year
Donations can be brought to practice or directly to the Tavernaro house
Sign Up Genius link:
(this is also posted on the team website)

16. Gear Order Gear is now available to be ordered!
We are ordering and paying directly through the gear provider this year – MB2 Sports
Deadline to order gear is this coming Saturday (August 26th)
See the handout for more info!

17. Lettering Varsity Letter
Due to a change in Olathe South athletic department policy last fall, there will be no JV letters given this year.
Requirements for:
Varsity Letter
Compete at Regionals or
Sub 17:30 5K - Boys
Sub 23:00 5K - Girls

18. Team Time Trial This Friday, August 25th 6:00 – 7:00 pm
(meet at the Olathe South track bleachers)
“Practice” cross country meet
Race starts and finishes on the track
Meant to be a fun, yet competitive experience for the kids
Awards ceremony follows the race
Parents and family members are invited. It’s “practice” for all of you too!!

19. Booster Club Booster Club funds go towards:
Pizza at meets
Donuts and juice at Saturday morning practices
Coolers and other meet equipment
End of season banquet food and supplies
Coaching gear
Snacks/beverages as they arise
100% of Booster Club funds go back into the program!!
$50 is our recommended donation (but please feel free to give more or less)
Make checks out to “OSXC Booster Club”

20. Needed Forms and Documents
Team Forms*
Athlete Info form – on website
SMART Goals form – on website
*Must be completed before a uniform is issued
School Forms*
Transportation form
Substance Abuse form
*Must be completed and turned into office before our first meet (August 31st)

21. Team Website

22. Text “Follow OSXCFalcons” to 40404
Follow us on Twitter!
@OSXCFalcons OR
Text “Follow OSXCFalcons” to 40404
This is a great communication tool for:
Last minute weather updates
Team announcements
Meet results
Pictures
Running related information

23. Questions?