Assumption
Cross Country Training Groups
I. Introduction
Upon joining Assumption
Cross Country, we direct the girls to choose a specific training group that
will determine their attendance and eligibility for things like a Varsity
letter. As we’ll discuss below, this is
a choice that should be based more on a girl’s interest – whether she wants to
run more competitively or not – and availability – whether she has weekend
conflicts, work-related conflicts, etc. – than her ability. Even after a choice is made, it is always
possible to move (or be moved) between groups.
Over the last several seasons, the Cross Country team has had only two
groups, Group A and Group B, but starting in Fall 2009, the team will add two
additional (alternative) groups, Elite Group A and Group C.
What
follows below is a description of not only our team’s manner of organizing, but
also what’s required of each group, and what one can earn by participating in
each group. This structure is subject
to change over time, but will remain as is in any given season.
II. Choosing a group
We encourage each girl to consider several factors in making her choice and not simply her own ability level or “newness” to the sport. E.g., availability is clearly important, as the groups have different attendance commitments. Interest in the sport and motivation would also be important concerns as well. Choosing one group over another does not necessarily impact the quantity and quality of a girl’s running on any given day. Girls in the Elite A group, and groups A, B and C could definitely end up training together on a particular day. When it comes to training, the coaches will adjust each girl’s training to her ability, running experience, and age – and not on the basis of whether she’s in Group A, B, etc. Please note that seniors hoping to be considered for a Varsity letter and/or attend at least one trip must join Group A or the Elite A group.
1. Elite Group A
This group is designed to draw girls interested in making the highest possible commitment to their running, a “national class commitment” that can ultimately prepare them for a college running career, competitive road racing career, etc. Elite Group A will also cater to girls who aren’t looking to run in college but who like the challenge associated with striving on a high level. In exchange for their high level commitment, Elite A girls earn automatic invitations on any out-of-town Cross Country team trips. For girls who finish the season as Elite A girls, they earn an award at the end of the season,, and will get an automatic Varsity letter.
Membership in this group has several specific requirements. First, and most importantly a girl must be performing on a high athletic level. As the key to success in most areas of life is “balance” the girls in Elite Group A will also be expected to balance their elite commitment to running with an equally strong emphasis on academics and following school rules, team guidelines, etc. Elite A girls will be expected to maintain a minimum (cumulative and unweighted) GPA of 3.0, and that they will not fall into athletic (academic) probation or suspension in any given season, and have no disciplinary issues. Failure to meet these criteria at any point during a given season makes that girl ineligible for Elite Group A in that season.
Girls in the Elite A group will be required to make a very high level attendance commitment. Elite A girls cannot have any regularly occurring absences which might pull them from practice or meets. The girls in this group will also be asked to minimize potential conflicts, and then coordinate any (unavoidable) absences with the coach in order to minimize the impact of any missed training. As with Group A, if a girl misses practice, then she will be expected to run that day’s workout or distance run on her own.
Elite A time standards
Girls joining Elite Group A must meet specific performance standards, but these time standards will be more like guidelines, rather than hard standards. I.e., a girl can be in Elite Group A without necessarily attaining one of the time standards/guidelines listed below. These standards must be attained each season, with some allowance for possible “carry-over” between seasons – which will be on a case by case basis, and will depend on various factors such as whether a girl generally meets the other Elite A criteria and continues to work hard.
An example of some Elite A time
standards/guidelines are:
For girls without Assumption Cross Country experience, but who do have prior Track experience (either at Assumption or elsewhere) and/or prior Cross Country experience at another school, we’ll consider allowing these girls into the Elite A group on a case by case basis if their previous experience appears to suggest doing so.
Elite A - pre and post-season training and racing
All girls on the team are asked to run in the pre-season, but no girls on the team will ever be expected to forego summer vacation, GSP invitations, etc., just to attend summer practice.
Pre-season training: Elite A girls will train on a specific program and will be expected to run in a group setting whenever possible – which includes the informal training group runs set up each summer during the “pre-July 15” training period.
Post-season training: while certainly getting an eventual break from running at some point, Elite A girls will be expected to meet with the coach and follow a post-season training schedule that may or may not involve post-season racing. Post-season racing opportunities will definitely be discussed, and will involve competing in events such as Nike Cross Nationals, Footlocker, AAU Nationals, USATF Nationals and the USA Junior Cross Country National.
Generally speaking, Elite A girls will be encouraged to train as a group on a year-round basis.
Elite A - end-of-season awards:
Elite A girls will receive awards that correspond with the number of years she’s in the group.
Benefits
and awards for Elite A girls may certainly extend beyond what’s described
above, but such changes are more likely to be one-time events and not
necessarily permanent.
2. Group A
Group A is (and will remain) a group for girls hoping to earn a Varsity letter and who would like to be considered for invitations to attend out-of-town trips, but who prefer not to make (or are unable to make) the higher level commitment associated with the Elite A group. Group A girls will be expected to maintain a high commitment level with their attendance and we ask that girls (and parents) in this group do their best to minimize conflicts with practice and meets, as this group is a Varsity level training group with aspirations of running in more competitive races. Missed practices, if they do occur, should also be made up.
Pre and Post-season training
All girls on the team are asked to run in the pre-season, but no girls on the team will ever be expected to forego summer vacation, GSP invitations, etc., just to attend summer practice.
Pre-season training: Group A girls are expected to run with the team whenever possible – which includes the informal training group runs that are set up each summer during the “pre-July 15” training period.
Post-season training: Group A girls are encouraged to continue training with the team once the Cross Country season concludes, but this is not a firm requirement. We also encourage Group A girls to train with the team on a year-round basis if possible.
Post-season racing: Group A girls are also encouraged to consider racing in various post-season races such as Nike Cross Nationals, Footlocker, AAU Nationals and USATF Nationals. While encouraged, competition in these events should be coordinated through a coach.
3. Group B
Group B girls are Cross Country girls who will be expected to attend practice 4 days per week and compete in a minimum of 3 meets. Group B girls will continue to be encouraged to participate as fully as possible and as fully as they are able, to run during the pre-season and in summer practices, and to train during the post-season. Group B girls are always welcome to attend practices on days they might not normally attend as members of Group B (e.g. Sunday runs), but without fully committing to being in Group A. All girls in Group B, including seniors, will earn a JV certificate at the end of the season if they satisfy the requirements of this group.
4. Group C
Group C is a new group for Juniors and Seniors (only) that allows them to remain involved with our program when it would appear their work and/or extracurricular commitments might make them unable to run Cross Country. The girls in Group C will have a dual role on the team that involves some amount of low key running and competing in meets, but which will also extend into their serving as part-time managers at the various events hosted by our team. Manager duties involve helping record times and finishing places of the runners at meets, doing various odds and ends as requested by the coaches, etc.
This group will typically be more self-regulated in terms of attendance, but any inappropriate periods of absence could lead to being dropped from the team if a girl’s attendance becomes demonstrably poor. All girls in Group C will also earn a JV certificate (including seniors) at the end of the season if they satisfy the requirements of this group.
|
Group: |
Requirements: |
What you get out of this group: |
|
Elite A Well-rounded Varsity girls
who commit to training and competing on a National level |
·
up to 6 days of
practice per week ·
commit to a national
level of training ·
coordinate any
expected absences ·
no regular pattern of
absence ·
no regular
work-related absences ·
no regular
work-related early departures ·
participate in team
functions/meetings ·
minimum 3.0 cumulative
GPA ·
no academic suspension or probation ·
no school or team rule
violations ·
perform consistent
with time guidelines |
·
automatic Varsity
letter ·
automatic attendance
on all CC trips ·
special
recognition/award at end of season (different award for each year earned) ·
eligible for team
awards/senior recognition ·
compete in important
Invitational meets ·
compete in blue
uniform (first group to select uniforms) |
|
Group A Girls willing to commit to
training on a Varsity level |
·
up to 6 days of
practice per week ·
regular attendance ·
4 meet participation
minimum ·
participate in team
functions/meetings ·
should compete in Academy Meet (unless unable to attend or run) |
·
eligible for Varsity
letter or JV certificate ·
eligible for invitation
on out-of-town trips ·
may compete in any
meet on schedule ·
slightly more
flexibility with attendance than with the elite group ·
eligible for team
awards/senior recognition ·
compete in blue
uniform (second group to select uniforms) |
|
Group B Girls willing to commit to
training on a JV level |
·
4 days of practice per
week ·
regular attendance ·
3 meet participation
minimum ·
participate in team
functions/meetings ·
should compete in Academy Meet (unless unable to attend or run) |
·
eligible for JV
certificate (only) ·
typically compete in
weekday meets ·
not eligible to attend
out-of-town trips ·
eligible for team
awards/senior recognition ·
more flexibility w/
attendance than Grp A ·
compete in
white/maroon or blue uniform (third group to select
uniforms) |
|
Group C Jr and Sr Girls willing to
serve as JV managers who would like to remain connected to the program, but
on a JV level |
·
Junior or Senior
(only) ·
3 days of practice per
week ·
regular attendance ·
assist with manager
duties at 2-3 meets ·
2 meet participation
minimum ·
participate in team
functions/meetings ·
may compete in Academy
Meet (Seniors should attend Senior Night) |
·
eligible for JV
certificate (only) ·
compete in weekday
meets (only) ·
not eligible to attend
out-of-town trips ·
practice is typically
distance runs ·
more flexibility to do
Jr and Sr activities ·
eligible for team
awards/senior recognition ·
compete in
white/maroon uniform (last group to select
uniforms) |