2023 CC Parent-Athlete Introduction

Hopkins Cross Country Parent-Athlete Introduction Meeting

Our Program Mission Statement

The Hopkins cross country program seeks to create a positive culture where every athlete, regardless of natural ability, is

committed to achieving her very best, and to selflessly aiding those around her do the same. We want every athlete to

achieve the feeling of self-satisfaction that comes as a direct result of achieving her potential. We accomplish this through

steadfast support for the fundamental value of each team member within strict adherence to the team concept.

To accomplish this mission, we have six basic rules:

Rule #1: Be Here

● If you must miss practice, the athlete should contact a coach, in advance wherever possible.

● You must know the practice and meet schedule. Each event is mandatory.

Rule #2: Give Effort

● Make sure you have a watch so you can help govern your effort.

● Aim to be the best at getting better.

Rule #3: Control What You Can Control

● Please plan around our schedule to the greatest extent possible.

● This is a partnership – we will adjust to you as long as you do your best to work with us.

Rule #4: You Can Always Do More Than You Think You Can

● You must be brave enough to dream big.

● You have no idea how good you are, and you should be open to the possibility that you can do things you have never,

ever done.

Rule #5: Your Best Effort Is Good Enough

● You are good enough, just as you are. So just do your best.

● Mistakes made in pursuit of your very best are awesome, expected, and encouraged.

Rule #6: Live The Life

● You must strive to get enough sleep.

● You must strive to set limits on technology use.

● You must have a daily plan to get your homework done in order to get to bed on time.

● You must be prepared to eat often and enough, every day.

● You must take steps to be hydrated every day.

● You must be responsible to get enough iron in your diet, all the time.

● Your social and emotional health matters tremendously, and it’s OK to struggle. But it’s also important to seek help

when you need it.

● When you struggle with any or all of these things, you should talk to a teammate or coach.

● When you see a teammate struggling with any or all of these things, you should reach out to help.

● If you are a female, once your period begins, you should get it regularly.

NOTE: Whenever any of you struggle with any of these rules, it is the role of the coaching staff to support your effort to

grow and improve throughout the year as you pursue your very best. And we will do whatever we can to help you on your

journey.

**Replicated from Naperville North Girls’ Cross Country

Hopkins High School Cross Country Plan of Action

9th Grade:

● Join the team and don’t look back

● Associate with teammates with positive attitudes and work ethic

● Get involved in team’s social functions

10th Grade

● Commit to off season training

● Become a force of encouragement for others

● Train-Up a group when you can

11th Grade

● Increase your workload

● Be the “spirit” of the team

● Never miss a practice, meet or function

12th Grade

● Lead with a kind heart

● Perfect/complete every rep, drill, repeat

● Be the unflappable rock

**Replicated from Adam Kedge - Albuquerque Academy

Hopkins CC 2023 Schedule

Varsity (top 7 runners)

August 14 1st Day of practice 8am

Sat, Aug 26 Brave Like Gabe (Perham Invite) 9am

Thur. September 7 Hopkins Bauman/Rovn Invitational, Gale Woods Farm Minnetrista. 5:10pm

Sunday, Sept. 10 Finish the Run (Volunteer Day)Boom Island Park NE Minneapolis 8:30 am

Sat. Metro Sep 16, 2023 Invite Flying Cloud Fields (6:45 pm rolling start with JH)

Fri. September 22 Griak Invitational B-1:30pm

Sat. September 30 Willmar Invitational, 1pm rolling schedule (1st race V, JV, JH).

Friday, October 6 Stadium Hopkins CC Hoedown 3200 Time Trial (Hopkins team only) 6:30-8:30pm

Thur. October 12 Lake Conference Championships, Gale Woods, Minnetrista. 3:40

Wed October 25 Section 6 AAA Championships, Gale Woods Farm,Minnetrista.

Sat. November 4 MN State AAA Cross Country Championships, Les Bolstad U of M

Postseason XC

Sat/Sun. Nov. 12 Sioux Falls, SD NXN Heartland Regionals

Sat. Dec 2 NXN Nationals, Portland Oregon.

Junior Varsity (all runners grades 9-12)

Fri. August 25 NorthWoods Invite (2 mile)--JV and new to CC

Thur. September 7 Bauman/Rovn, Gale Woods Farm Minnetrista. 4pm

Sunday, Sept. 10 Finish the Run (Volunteer Day)Boom Island Park NE Minneapolis 8:30 am

Sat. Sep 16, 2023 Metro Invite Flying Cloud Fields (6:45pm rolling start)

Sat. September 23 Mustang Invite (Chippewa Middle School-10am)

Sat. October 30 Willmar Invitational, 1pm rolling schedule (1st race V, JV, JH).

Friday, October 6 Stadium Hopkins CC Hoedown 3200 Time Trial (Hopkins team only) 6:30-8:30pm

Thur. October 12 Lake Conference Championships, Gale Woods, Minnetrista.

Mon. October 23 Grade Level Championships, Bassett Creek.

Sunday, Nov TBD HopkinsCC Banquet

Postseason XC

Sun. Nov. 12 Sioux Falls, SD NXN Heartland Regionals

Middle School (all runners grades 6-8)

Athletes who begin on 8.14 and are ready, are eligible to race these by coach invitation:

Fri. August 25 NorthWoods Invite (2 mile)

Thur. September 7 Bauman/Rovn, Gale Woods Farm Minnetrista. 6:05pm

The races below are 1.5 miles, begin at 4:30 and are for all Jhi athletes

Thur. 9.14 Minnetonka East meet @Minnetonka East MIddle School

Sat. 9.16 Metro Invite Flying Cloud Fields (under the lights)

rolling start 6:45 elementary races begin

Thur. 9.21 Hopkins home meet @WJH

Thur. 10.5 Edina meet @ Pamela Park

Tues. 10.10 Minnetonka West meet @ Freeman Park

Mon. 10.16 Wayzata meet @Wayzata East Middle School

Tues. 10.24 Eden Prairie @ CMS Middle School Conference Meet

Saturday, 10.28 TENTATIVE Middle School State meet (by qualification)

Practice Schedule during our cross country season.

Monday thru Friday: after the school day (week 1-3 may vary see below). AM practices are optional.

Saturday practices will be at 8am. Location will be determined each week and announced in the athlete

Group me app on their phones.

August 14, Cross Country begins, 8am meet at and under the high ropes course near the stadium entrance.

Week #1: practice times 8-10am; Tue/Thursday- optional practice 3:30 weight room.

Week #2: practice times 3:45-5:45; optional practice Tue/Thur at 7am weight room.

Week #3: practice times 3:45-5:45; optional practice Mon/Thur at 7am weight room.

Week #4 - thru Nov. practice times 3:45-5:45 pm; morning am optional practice 2x per week TBD.

Saturday, August 19: Saturday annual Run and Cakes.

When: 8am.

Who: current athletes 6-12 + Parents/Guardians and siblings are welcome.

Where: Shady Oak Lake Parking Lot.

Athletes will be running their weekly “long run” on the adjoining trail.

Parents/Guardians and siblings are welcome to come run or walk the trail. Get familiar and social with

other Hopkins 6-12 families and coaches of our cross country community.

Pancakes will be made by the coaches and served to all following the run (walk by parents). We are fast

and really good-plenty of practice over the years.

Tuesday, August 22: 6:30pm Athletes/Parent Required Meeting with our Athletic Department at HHS Theater.

Following this meeting we will have a short 20 min gathering for just cross country families regarding: athlete spirit wear,

booster club, practice and school expectations for all 6-12 cross country athletes, information for pasta sign-ups parties

Tuesday, August 29: 7:30-8am -9-12 cross country runners have been asked to welcome our district staff before their

workshops.

Wednesday, August 30: at HHS 9th and 10th graders will have a full day of school- “Orientation”

Tuesday, September 5th: Day 1 school begins 9-12 at HHS.

Sunday, September 9th: Finish the run event at Boom Island, Minneapolis. Our athletes will volunteer to help facilitate

this annual event. Arrival time - TBD the week of practice.

Tuesday, September 26: Annual Cross Country Fundraiser (for Adults only please) at Unmapped Brew Pub, Glen Lake.

Thursday, October 5: 9-12 Parent Teacher Conferences, no school, practice times likely at the same time.

Friday, October 6: Hopkins Race for the Pumpkins HoeDown Week Celebration 6-12 athletes and families.

Location: HHS Track Stadium, 7pm under the stadium lights.

Who: 6-12 cross country athletes (Families and friends encouraged to attend)

What: 6-8 middle school 1 mile; 9-12 high school 2 mile.

Why: “color shirt” Hopkins teams final competition of the week.

Thursday & Friday October 19/20: MEA break - practice times TBA.

Final Season 6-12 team celebration not finalized but a request has been made for Sunday, November 5 2pm-4pm.

2023 Hopkins Girls/Boys XC Lettering Requirements

Name: _______________________ Grade: ______

POINT OPTIONS (Minimum of 10 full points are required to earn a VARSITY Letter)

1. Complete season in good standing, TO QUALIFY!

○ bring positive energy to the program: Positive attitude and support of all runners.

○ follow all team expectations

■ Full attendance at all practices Monday-Saturday + ALL meets.

■ Good citizenship and sportsmanship: appropriate and respectful behavior at all practices and meets.

■ Active involvement: Fundraising kids track(spring), Raspberry Run; loading, setting up, taking down,

unloading of the tent and other XC equipment.

■ Academic communication: if work needs completion during practice time, coaches will be notified

BEFORE practice.

■ View the success of the team as paramount.

2. Optional points:

● Summer running log (must present to coaching staff) 2pt. _____

● Fundraisers/volunteer: 1pt “Finish the Run”; 1pt Raspberry Run help; _____

● Summer running camp participant 2pt. _____

● 3.25-3.74 cumulative GPA= 1pt; 3.75 + cumulative GPA (Q-1) 2pts _____

3. Time Standards (can only use one of the standards)

○ Sub 20:45 5K (Girls) Sub 18:00 5K (Boys) 5pts _____

○ Sub 21:30 5K (Girls) Sub 18:30 5K (Boys) 4pts _____

○ Sub 22:15 5K 5K (Girls) Sub 19:00 5K (Boys) 3pts _____

4. Competition (can use more than one for points) use Mile Split MN for result information.

○ Varsity racer 1pt. for each race _____