Competitive Cross Country - Fall 2023
*****Subject to Change******
Updated 10/27/23 - New date for State Meet
Coaches / Practices / Meet Schedule / Equipment / Fees
Overview
Competitive Cross Country consists of weekly practices and up to five regular season meets plus the opportunity to advance to the Regionals and State Meets. Cross Country is open to all rising 7th-12th grade students. Although there are no tryouts to make the team, Cross Country is a very rigorous sport that requires a high level of consistent dedication starting in July. Cross Country runners qualify for each meet based on their participation, effort, coachability, and qualifying times.
Mandatory practices will be held during the summer and Fall Break. Meets are expected to be scheduled during Fall Break. Cross Country runners should plan on being available for all practices and meets.
Meridian Cross Country has experienced much success in the league. We finished 1st and 2nd once in State:
- 2015, 9th-10th Girls Cross Country State Champions
- 2021, Girls Varsity State Runners-Up
Important Dates
M, 5/1 - Registration opens for 2023 season
Tu., 5/9 at 9:00 p.m. - Registration ends for the 2023 season. No late registrations accepted.
Tu., 5/9 - Physical forms due. Learn more.
Tu., 5/16 - Participation fee invoices issued via MySchoolBucks
Th., 5/18 at 6:00 p.m.- Kickoff Meeting via Zoom
M, 5/22 - Participation fee invoices due
Th., 7/6 - First practice. See Practice Schedule.
Tu., 7/11 - Practice
Th., 7/13 - Practice
Tu., 7/18 - Practice
Th., 7/20 - Practice
Tu., 7/25 - Practice
Th., 7/27 - Practice
Tu., 8/1 - No practice
Th., 8/3 - No practice
M, 8/7 - No practice
Tu., 8/8 - No practice
W, 8/9 - Practices resume (Canceled due to heat index)
Sat, 8/12 - Practices resume
Tu. 8/29 - Sports Photos/Media Day
F, 9/1 - Halfway point in the season
Sat, 10/14 - Regionals (during Fall Break)
Sat, 11/4 - TCSAAL State Meet (NEW DATE)
Mon., 4/29 at 5:30 p.m. - Athletics Awards Ceremony for all competitive sports
Coaches
- High School - Nick Manuszak, [email protected]
- Middle School - Tamra Burwick, [email protected]
Tryouts
No tryouts.
Although there are no tryouts to make the team, Cross Country is a very rigorous sport that requires a high level of consistent dedication starting in July. Cross Country runners qualify for each meet based on their participation, effort, coachability, and qualifying times.
Practices
Mandatory practices begin in July. There is a brief break while the coaches prepare for back to school. Mandatory practices resume when school starts. There is a different practice schedule for July practices and practices during the school year. Find the 2023 Cross Country Practice Schedule.
Meets
Students must qualify for each meet. Cross Country runners qualify for each meet based on their participation, effort, coachability, and qualifying times. See the 2023 Meet Schedule. Please note that both weekends of Fall Break will likely include a meet.
Equipment
To help Cross Country participants be prepared for their season, lists of Required and Optional Equipment are available.
Lettering Requirements
Lettering in an extracurricular activity is reserved for the highest level of participation. For Cross Country, this means participating in the Varsity races in at least half of all regular season meets in which Meridian High School Cross Country participates. Visit Letter Jackets & Lettering for more information, including the 2023-2024 Lettering Requirements.
Questions
Please send questions to [email protected],