FAQ

 

  1. After-School Practice - What days? What time? (Start time and end time) The first week they will have afternoon practice Monday, Wednesday, & Friday -- usually ending around 5:30 or 6:00pm (pick kids up from the parking lot at the football stadium). They go straight from school to practice. After that it will be M-F afternoon practices with an occasional morning (we will notify the team ahead of time if there will be a morning practice).
  2. Changing - Where do the kids change or keep their things? I heard you can't leave anything out or it will be stolen. Will they be given a locker in the gym? The boys often change in the school bathrooms, I think the girls tend to use the gym locker rooms. My son always wears his running shoes to school so he doesn't have to carry them around, and they won't fit in his locker. :) He just brings a drawstring bag with shorts, and shirt, maybe a snack for right before practice. He also started taking lunch to school last year because he felt like the cafeteria food might make him puke at practice. The kids need to bring water. The locker issue is a problem, they aren't given another locker, and the kids just pile their things up along the track. I haven't heard of anything being stolen, but that doesn't mean it isn't a possibility.
  3. XCountry Meets - At what times do the meets usually start on Saturdays? And how long are they? The meets usually start around 10:00am. Our coaches like to leave and get there early (there is a lot to do, set up the tent, food, warm up, etc.), so plan on getting your runner to AHS very early on Saturday mornings (the exact times will always be announced). If I remember correctly, it was always before 7:00am and often before 6:00am. They get back sometime in the afternoon, usually there is an 'early bus' and a 'late bus'. The late bus will stop for lunch so your runner would need to have money if they decide to take that bus. Food is provided for the runners at the meets (fruit, bagels with cream cheese, snacks, etc. and of course, a Gatorade type drink and water).
  4. Morning Practice - is this true?? What days, time? Are there shower facilities? Do the kids go home and back again? Are these mandatory? Yes, morning practices are mandatory, they will be Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00am until 7:00-7:15am. My son stays at school and takes a shower in the gym locker rooms, he then has some extra time before school to study. From what I hear some girls won't tolerate that and want to be picked up and taken back home to get ready for school. Other girls get dressed at the school. If they get ready at school they have to have all the necessary toiletries, plus a towel and school clothes. It isn't easy. The kids often prefer the morning practices because they get home earlier and can start homework earlier. It is really hard as parents to wake up and drive them there, this is a commitment from the whole family.
  5. Travel to Meets - Does the team travel to meets together from the school or does everyone meet at the place? The team always goes to meets together, parents can travel to the meet on their own to watch/cheer on their runner (if there is a problem with your child riding the bus to a meet you need to speak with the coaches). The meets are sometimes far away (60-90 minutes) and a few will be close (Milton or Roswell). Parents can take their own kids home after a meet (or if a form is signed they can take other runners home). Sometimes the kids want to come home and sometimes they want to stay and be with their friends.
  6. Meets - What's the difference between Varsity, JV and Open? Varsity runners are the top 10 fastest (10 boys and 10 girls) from the previous week -- except region which is top 7. JV are the next 10, Open are all the other kids running who didn't get into Varsity or JV. It can change from week to week. There are a few kids who will always run varsity (even if they had a bad week), there are some that will move back and forth between different levels. So each meet there are races for Varsity boys and girls, JV boys and girls, and Open boys and girls (so you can see it takes most of the day). We try to get a schedule of race times (say your child is running JV girls, you want to be there for her race start, not necessarily the whole day), but it isn't always possible. If we have the information it is usually pretty accurate. Toward the end of the season they will stop having the Open division and just have Varsity and JV races.
  7. Kick off Breakfast -- The race at the breakfast determines who races Varsity, JV, or Open for the first meet of the season. Also, uniforms are handed out and some spirit wear will be available. Parents need to bring their checkbooks for uniform deposits, spirit wear, and XC dues. This year the breakfast will be at Garrard Landing, 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. The breakfast/meeting, race will start at 8:00am, runners need to be there at 7:00am, Saturday August 28th.
  8. Pasta Parties -- are held each Friday at 6:00pm when there is a meet the next day. The parties are hosted and co-hosted by XC parents who volunteer to have it at their homes, a neighborhood pool or park. A dinner will be provided for runners, and parents are welcome to attend.
  9. How do I access the Parent Volunteer Form? Go to the XC Website Link and look under 'Forms'.
  10. How do I volunteer to help the team? When a job comes up that looks appealing reply to Leah or the specific parent in charge of that particular area. We always need help with the breakfast, banquet, and hosting parties.
  11. What if I want to be on the mailing list? Email Leah Narro at: xc@narrofamily.com and I will add you to the list.


SUMMER MILES:

  1. What is the schedule for the summer?
    The summer running schedule can be found on the website under "Calendar"
  2. Where can I get directions to the summer run locations?
    Directions to the summer run locations and pizza parties will be posted on the website under "Calendar"
  3. How do the morning runs work, do I drop my child off or do I need to wait?
    Your child should be there for the 7:00 a.m. run at the specified location. You can either wait at the site for them to finish, get in a run yourself, or drop them off and return at the time you estimate it will take them to finish. Many families carpool with other families in their neighborhood.
  4. If it is raining, will there still be practice?
    We practice in the rain but not in lighting or thunder. If the practice is at school then we will practice in the gym.
  5. Does my child need to log his/her summer miles?
    Yes, the coaches would like to see each runner's summer mileage log at the end of the summer.


SUMMER PIZZA PARTIES:

  1. Can you tell me more about the pizza parties?
    The purpose of the pizza parties is to give the runners a chance to bond and have fun.
  2. How does my child get to the pizza party after the run?
    You will need to arrange your child's transportation to and from the pizza party.
  3. What are the locations of the pizza parties, and should my child bring a swimsuit?
    The pizza parties are hosted by volunteers at their homes or neighborhood pools, so locations will vary as well as whether or not there will be a pool available. To be safe, your child can bring their swimsuit just in case. If you would like to host a party, please let us know! Pizzas are provided. We greatly appreciate our volunteer host/hostesses.


REGISTRATION:

  1. How do we register?
    Registration requires filling out a packet of forms and submitting a registration fee to one of the coaches. The registration packets can be obtained 1 of 3 ways:
    • There is always a kickoff meeting for Cross Country at AHS in the spring while school is still in session. Packets are available at that meeting.
    • You can arrange to pick up a packet from one of the Cross Country Coaches.
    • You can pick up a packet at the front office at AHS while school is still in session.
  2. What is the registration deadline?
    Please submit your registration forms and fee as soon as possible. Mandatory practice begins in August, and your child must have their physical form and insurance form turned in before they are allowed to attend a mandatory practice. (A Fulton County rule) Also, if you wait too long, your child may not have their uniform in time for the first meet.


PHYSICALS:

  1. I am not able to get my child in to see their doctor for a physical in time for the deadline, what should I do?
    Publix has "doc in the box" locations where you can walk in.
  2. My child had a physical at the high school last year, is that still valid?
    Physicals are good for one calendar year. If the date of the physical is January 16 2008 then it will expire on January 16 2009. Athletes need a physical that will last the entire season.
    The only exception to this rule is the physical done at the end of the school year at the school. For this year they were done on April 20 2009. They are good for the entire following school year.
  3. Do insurance forms last the entire school year?
    No, AHS requires a new insurance form for each sport.


UNIFORMS:

  1. When will my child get their uniform?
    Uniforms will be distributed to the group prior to the first meet, usually at the Kickoff Breakfast and Meeting. You will need $50 deposit check to receive your uniform. The check will not be cashed unless the uniform is not returned at the end of the summer.
    Uniforms will be distributed in finishing order from the race at the kickoff breakfast.
    If you registered late, you may not have your uniform in time for the first meet.


PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

  1. What do athletes need for practice?
    Athletes need running shoes, athletic clothes, water bottles (fill them up before you come to practice), and a stop watch.
  2. What times does practice start?
    After school practice starts promptly at 4:00pm. Morning Practice starts at 6:00am. You should be dressed and ready to go in the stadium when practice starts.
  3. When does practice end?
    Generally morning practice ends around 7:00 to 7:15am depending on the workout for the day. Afternoon practices vary by workout. Long run days get out about 6:30; other days generally 5:30 to 6:00pm. The first week or so may run longer since we have more paperwork and teach the kids the routine of practice.
  4. Where do the athletes keep their stuff during the school day?
    Your school locker is the best place to keep your stuff. However girls can store their stuff in a cage inside the locker room and boys can rent a PE locker from Coach Sweet if needed.
  5. Where do athletes change for practice?
    Athletes can change in the Locker Rooms on the lower level of the gym. They can also change in any hallway bathroom.
  6. Where do athletes keep their stuff during practice?
    Athletes should always keep their stuff locked up during practice in their car, school locker or PE locker. Cages are not locked during practice. Athletes should not keep their stuff at the stadium, as it is not always supervised with football/band practice and games after school. Morning practice is a little different since only your teammates are there.
  7. My child may need to stay at school after morning practice what are the locker room/ showers like?
    • The locker rooms have 4 or 5 individual showers with a curtain for privacy.
    • A student must bring their own toiletries. Towels, soap, shampoo, hair dryers, etc., will NOT be provided.
    • Some students go home to shower while others stay and shower at school due to the convenience. It is a personal decision based on your child's level of comfort/modesty.
  8. Are practices at the school?
    Most practices are at the school however some will be a Webb Bridge Park. We will have one bus going from the school and will need car pool parents to help transport others. Parents are asked to pick up athletes at the park on those days.


MEETS:

  1. Do all students run?
    Unless it is specified by the coaches, all students will run at the meets. There is a "Varsity" run, a "Junior Varsity" run, and an "Open" run. The runners that do not qualify for the Varsity or JV run will run in the open race. The coaches will specify if there is no open run, as well as communicating who will run on Varsity and JV and race times.
  2. How do the students get to meets?
    Fulton County Busses will drive athletes to all meets. Fulton County requires all athletes to travel to meet with the team.
  3. Can I or a friend/neighbor drive my child home after the meet, or do they have to ride the bus?
    You can drive your child home after the meet, however you must sign them out at the meet. If you would like for your child to ride home with a friend/neighbor, you must send in a written, signed note with your child and the friend/neighbor must sign them out at the meet.
  4. What is the food situation at meets?
    The team provides snacks for the meets and most meets sell food (and T- Shirts). For most meets we have an express bus that will head directly to the school after the meet ends and another bus that will stop for lunch on the way home.
  5. What should athletes bring to meets?
    We encourage all athletes to wear their team shirts and warm ups to the meet with their uniforms underneath. Spikes or racing shoes and normal running shoes, and extra set of clothes for after the race (including socks), money for extra food or t-shirt (if wanted). Many sleep on the bus and want a pillow and blanket.
  6. How do Parents/friends find the team at the meet?
    The team has two large black tents, these will be our teams home base while at the meet. The kids leave their stuff at the tent while they are racing.
  7. Does my child need 'spikes'?
    A lot of the kids run in XC racing spikes at meets. These shoes ARE NOT mandatory, but will improve racing time. If you go to buy them look at specialty running stores and make sure you ask for cross country spikes (not track spikes which are different). If you know your size you can also get them online. Racing in your training running shoes works too. Runners often bring both to races and determine the conditions before deciding which to wear.
  8. How do I find directions to the meets?
    Go to the 'Calendar' tab on the AHS XC website. On meet days there is the name of the meet and '@' with the location name. If you click on that part directions on google map come up.
  9. How do I find the results after a race?
    Check on results tab here. If direct links are not available, go to the 'Calendar' tab on the XC website. The meet name is a link to the meet website. Usually results are posted a few hours after the races are complete.


PASTA PARTIES:

  1. Can you tell me more about the pasta parties?
    Similar to the summer pizza parties, the purpose of the pasta parties is to give the runners a chance to bond and have fun. They are held at a runner house the Friday night before each race.
  2. How does my child get to the pasta party?
    You will need to arrange your child's transportation to and from the pizza party.
  3. What are the locations of the pasta parties, and should my child bring a swimsuit?
    The pizza parties are hosted by volunteers at their homes so locations will vary and generally do not have pools. We will let you know if a pool is available along with the directions (see Calendar). If you would like to host a party, please let us know! Pasta is provided. We greatly appreciate our volunteer host/hostesses.