If you are interested in joining Saline Cross Country or just need more information, this is the place to start! Once you submit your information online or in person, the captains will contact you and help you with any questions you may have. Below are several documents you may find helpful along with a few common questions and answers.. While our program is very successful, I am always excited to welcome new runners and I hope you’ll join us for the fall of 2009.
Sign Up Online to Receive More Info
Submit your information online and receive email updates from captains and coaches
Calendar
A complete schedule of all summer, competitive, and team events.
Schedule
A schedule of all competitive events with details on times, locations, etc...
Cross Country Camps
Information on Team Camp at Warren Dunes, Senior Leadership Camp, and the Middle School Camp.
Required Forms (pdf)
All of the forms that must be completed before an athlete can practice with the team.
Team Rules (pdf)
Rules and expectations for attendance at practice, team events, and competitions
FAQ
Why sign up now?
If you submit your contact information, we can let you know about summer conditioning, team camp, and other events. You do not have to provide this information now, but it will make it much easier to integrate you into the program. We’ll forward your information to the team captains, who will contact you once or twice over the summer just to see how things are going. We’ll also add your email address to the team list, which means you’ll receive information about summer events.
Why should I run cross country?
There are countless different reasons to join the program, but most athletes join for one of the following. Some join the program because they immediately felt welcomed by the team and made a lot of friends. Others join cross country because they know we have a very successful program; Saline is currently ranked as the fourth most successful D1 program. Finally, many join cross country because they quickly realize that we recognize the achievements of all runners and that regardless of ability, every athlete is an important part of our program.
I’m not sure if I want to run cross country or do another sport. What should I do?
Summer conditioning is valuable for every type of athlete, so whether you end up playing soccer, football, or running cross country, our summer workouts will help you out. Plus, during summer conditioning you’ll get an opportunity to meet the team, coaches, and captains. Over a few weeks you’ll see if cross country is right for you and how you fit into our team. Summer conditioning is open to all types of athletes and, in the past, we’ve had a few soccer players show up on a regular basis.
I can’t run that far! Are you crazy?
Running may seem very difficult at first, but your body will quickly adapt to training. After a few weeks, a five mile run will be an “easy day” and you’ll laugh at the mile “run” you have to do in PE. We’ll start you out with whatever mileage you can handle and you may start running just two or three miles a day.
What is Summer Conditioning?
Summer conditioning is a training program that is ran along with the girls’ cross country team. We meet Monday thru Thursday at 9AM (the exact location can be found on the team's calendar) to train. Every day we will work on form, conditioning, and strength, which are three components that will help you in any sport. We always have workouts of varying difficulty, and whether you have never ran or you have put in 600 miles this winter, we’ll have training runs ready for you.
Does Cross Country make Cuts?
The cross country team can welcome an unlimited number of athletes, but all athletes must be able to meet minimum time standards. In 2009, all runners will complete a two mile time trial on the track. In order to be on the team, an athlete must be able to run those two miles in under 15:30. If making that standard may be difficult for you, that is even more reason to come to conditioning early in the summer. Regardless of where you are at the start of the summer, I am confident that with proper and regular training in June, July and early August, you will be able to make that standard easily.
If I need more information, who can I contact?
A great first resource is the team website at www.salinecrosscountry.org. If that does not work for you, feel free to contact the coaches or captains. You can email Coach Spina at spinac@saline.k12.mi.us or you can contact the Captains. Email addresses for the captains can be found online under “The Team” link.