KTC CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAMS

ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL / AAU-FOOTLOCKER-USATF

“Cross Country - No Substitutions, No Bench, No Time Outs – No Excuses”

Middle School / Elementary School Cross Country Coaches,

  Welcome and thank you for time and effort in establishing Middle / Elementary Schools Cross Country in your community.  Your hard work makes a difference for our kids.  The following information will give you an overview of the scope of the Middle School Elementary School Cross Country Program.  If you know of anyone who is interested in starting a cross country program in their school please forward this information to them and have them contact KTC’s Youth Athletics Director - Marty Sonnenfeldt ASAP.

Marty Sonnenfeldt
Knoxville Track Club
Youth Athletics Director
865-406-4128
865-470-2486 fx
www.ktcyouthathletics.org
TennRunner@Aol.com

Please Note that there will be a link off the Middle / Elementary Schools Cross Country Page that will direct you to Coaches Information and any announcements that pertain to coaches or assistants.  Please check it regularly thru the summer.

 Eligibility

Open to all boys and girls of Middle school age (grades 6, 7, 8) or Elementary School Age (grades 3,4,5).  Open to all public,  private schools and homeschooled athletes .  Middle School athletes must compete in at least one regular season meet in order to be part of your roster for the championship meet.  Home schoolers and or individuals who do not have schools participating may compete but only as a part of a school team closest to their normal public school zone.   In elementary school competition home schoolers may participate as individuals not attached to a team.

Distances Run

Middle School - 2 miles for both Boys and Girls / Elementary School - 1 Mile

Practice Times

These times are at your discretion.  We recommend that you practice a minimum of 2-3 times a week in order to fully prepare the kids to complete a 2 mile (or 1mile for Elementary) course comfortably.  Your initial goal should be to promote positive fitness goals with performance issues taking a back seat to participation. 

Safety 

Safety is a primary concern for the Knoxville Track Club.  Please make sure that you have enough volunteers to assist you with practice at your school.  Do not leave your athletes stranded on a run or have either the front or the rear of your practice groups run unsupervised.  Please avoid busy streets for your running routes.  Require your athletes to bring water bottles to practice so that they remain hydrated throughout practice.  Water breaks are encouraged during practice.  Remember young athletes have less tolerance to extreme heat than adults so be cautious in high temperatures and humidity.  If extreme weather conditions occur consider reducing both the volume and intensity of the workout.  If the heat index rises above 95 degrees it is recommended to cancel the workout or move to a shaded – cooler venue for a less strenuous workout.  Incliment weather – extreme rainshowers, lightning and high winds will require you to cancle practice.

Insurance

Practice and Meet Insurance coverage provided through the USATF (USA Track and Field)  our sports governing body.  Individual accident medical coverage (pays as overage to primary parent coverage) is provided as part of Registration Fee.

Costs

$ 13.00 per athlete for the entire season (one meet or all 5) – Made payable to Knoxville Track Club and due at the first meet when you pick up your bib numbers. If your school requires a receipt for your meet entries please email TennRunner@Aol.com with your request prior to the first meet.  For those athletes who are not able to afford the program costs a fee waiver may be granted.  Please contact the program director for details. The program fee will cover the following operational costs:

• Security for all meets
• Porta-Johns
• Course Preparation - marking
• Practice Insurance for athletes
• Event insurance and liability insurance for coaches
• Invidual accident medical coverage for the athlete
• Bib numbers and pins
• Awards
• Fluids and cups at meets
• Office supplies
• Course supplies – Marking / Flagging / Finish line
• PA System at Championship Meet

Rosters and On-Line Entry

All entries will be made on-line.  The Direct Link to the main online entry menu can be found at the following link:  www.coacho.com/meet/entry/tn_ktc/  

Primary rosters must be submitted no later than Sunday September 2nd.  Any additions should be made via email (TennRunner@aol.com) by 5PM September 3rd or 24 hours prior to the meet you will be competing in. Team packets and bib numbers will be available at the blue KTC truck prior to the each meet.  Payment for your team for the 2007 season is due at the first meet.  If you make additions to your roster after the first meet - fees for those athletes will be due at packet pickup for the meet that you add them. Make meet entry fees payable to the Knoxville Track Club.

ONLINE ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

  Online entry is a simple and effective way to enter the KTC’s 2007 Cross Country Meets.   The most critical element of this procedure is that you use a functional email address -- one that will not change prior to the end of the season – when entering the meet online.  Please take great care to correctly provide your email address when prompted by the system.  Your main entry portal to the online system will be from the Knoxville Track Club Youth Athletics website:  www.ktcyouthathletics.org  If you have used the online system in the past you can click: www.coacho.com/meet/entry/tn_ktc/   to go directly to the main online entry menu.  Our site will allow you to view all critical Meet Information / Meet Schedules / Events / Regulations pertaining to the meet. 

1. Once you arrive at the KTC website look for the drop down header named Programs

2.  Then click Elementary School / Middle School - You are now at the Main Information page for the Middle School (or Elementary School) Cross Country.  Every thing you will need to know is listed on this web page. 

3. Then click Online Registration

4.  Once you are on the online entry system itself you must first register your schools team by selecting the Register Team function from the main menu.  When you enter your team name please make sure that you type in the letters CC after your team name to designate this as a cross country team since many MS have different Cross Country and Track Coaches.  After registering your team you will receive a PIN number that you will use to enter the main entry system.  Please remember to print off the screen that shows your PIN number so that you have a record of it.  After you have competed registering your team, your team name will appear on the right hand drop down menu of registered teams.

5. After you have registered your schools team you can then return to the main menu and select “Enter a meet” from the main menu. The system will ask you for the PIN number you received in Step 4.  Type in your PIN number and click continue.

6. After you have entered your team in the meet return to the main menu and select “Create or Revise roster for” you will then enter your entire team’s roster.  Please make sure that you fill in all the information requested and assign the proper sex and grade.  Then hit continue and go on to confirm your roster.

7.  A listing of your entries will appear.  If you notice a mistake you can click the box next to the athlete name and make a correction to your entry.  If no corrections are necessary, click Submit Entry to Meet Director.

8.   You will then be prompted to print the entry page for your records. Please print this page. It is very important. You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your entry and entry fees due within 24 hours.

9.  If you need to make any  changes to your roster please do so in the online system prior to midnight September 3rd – any changes after this time should be emailed to: Tennrunner@aol.com

10.   If you have any questions regarding online entry, please take a look at the Help that is provided on-line. There is a Help button on the Main Menu that provides detailed instructions. If the on-line help does not answer your questions please e-mail support@coacho.com, contact the KTC Youth Athletics Hotline at 406-4128 or you may email me at TennRunner@aol.com

Meet Management / Results

Provided by KTC, however we would like you to select two parent Volunteers per meet that can assist in the finish cute or on the course.  Please submit these names and their contact numbers via email (Tennrunner@aol.com ) and have them at the course 1 hour prior to start.  If you are the host school for the meet you will need to meet with Marty Sonnenfeldt to go over course / parking and logistics details no later than 2 weeks prior to your meet.  Please remind your athletes that we will recall a race only if starting gun is fired a second time after the primary start.  False starts will not be called for a one or two step lead out when we have a 2 mile race.  Results will be posted on the KTC website as soon as possible after the meet has ended.  This may take untill the following morning – so be patient.  Results will also emailed all coaches that provide functional email addresses as a text file attachment.  Please provide working email addresses.  Elementary School finish times are not recorded until the Championship Meet.  Finish times can be obtained from the large digital finish clock for coaches that are interested.  Elementary Boys and Girls will run together in one race unless we exceed 250 runners at which time we will run boys and girls separate.  Boys and Girls will run separate at the Championship Meet.

Scoring

Scoring of the meet will be the same as last year the top 5 runners on your teams will score with tie breakers determined by the number 6 runner on a team.  We will add the numerical places of your top 5 runners to come up with a team score.  Lowest team scores win. There is no limit on the number of athletes on your team. 

Awards

Middle School - Ribbons to top 40 G/B in each of the regular season meets – given out in the finish cute.  Trophies to the top 40 individuals (B/G) at the Championship Meet. The Brint Adams Individual Boys and Girls Championship award will go to the top Girls and Boys Finisher.  Team Plaques will be awarded to the top five boys and girls teams at the Championship Meet.  Elementary School – Participant Ribbons will be awarded in the finish chute at the regular season meets.  Trophies will be awarded to the top 20 boys and girls at the Championship Meet.  Team awards will only be awarded if there are 3 or more complete teams in each of the Boys and Girls races.

Meets

Held every Tuesday starting September 4, 2007 and ending with the MC Championship Meet 10/4/07.  Five meets total.  Elementary School Meets will start a per the listed meet schedule.  All Middle School Meets will start one hour prior to the start of the MS races.  Please allow for ample time to get to the meet site and for parking.  If at all possible try to car pool so that we can keep parking problems to a minimum.  Plan for meets to be over by 8:30 PM.

New For 2007 (Middle School Only) - Teams will be assigned starting boxes according to a pre meet computer "blind draw".  Boxes will be numbered and box assignments will be available when you pick up your bib numbers.  Unattached athletes will be assigned 2-3 boxes.  Teams will be limited to placing thier top 5 runners on the front line.  The remainder of your team will be required to stack behind your top 5 -- not exceeding your box width.

ES / MS SCHEDULE  - Please note all Elementary Meets will start one hour prior to the listed MS Meets at the same locations as the Middle School Meets.

Volunteer Cross Country Invite – 9/29 and State MS Championships - 10/20 require separate entry fee.

Volunteer Cross Country Classic – 9/29/07

The 2007 Volunteer Cross Country Classic is a separate meet run in addition to the ES/MS Cross Country Schedule.  This meet brings together 1100 Middle School / High School and Collegiate runners from 10 states to compete at Victor Ashe Park.  Separate entry fee and online entry required.  For meet information click on the following link: VCCI

KTC / Tennesseerunner.com – Tennessee State Middle School Cross Country Championships – 10/20/07

Be a part of a first for the state of Tennessee when KTC and Tennesseerunner.com host the first State Middle School Cross Country Championships held at Victor Ashe Park.  Join other Middle School runners from across the state to vie for a state title.  In order to qualify for the state meet your team must place in the top 5 (or have placed in the top 25 individually) in the Area MS Championships held at Victor Ashe Park 10/4/07.  Open Elementary races will also be available.  For further information please visit: Tennessee State Championships

Course Descriptions / Printed Directions

Melton Hill Park

 The loop road is now secured with barricades and the cable that was stretched on the right side of the loop road has been removed (easier cross over for runners).  We will use the loop road to park buses and team vans only (first in first out).  We will then park cars in sections as we did last year.  We have been granted parking at the model airplane field for late arrivals -- this hopefully will alleviate post race congestion.  Porta-Johns will be on site.  I would rate this course as moderately hilly -- with two major challenges in the last 600 meters.  Course boundaries will be mowed-in with flagging at turns. Directions (from I-40W): Take Pellissippi Parkway to the Hardin Valley Rd. Exit. - Left off exit onto Hardin Valley Rd.   Follow Hardin Valley (west) to Steele Rd. - turn right onto Steele at the Hardin Valley School .  Follow Steele up to the top of hill (4-way intersection) and turn left onto Sam Lee Rd. - Sam Lee will eventually turn into Williams Bend Rd. continue to follow Sam Lee / Williams Bend till you get to the park. Parking:  The loop road inside the park will be used to park buses and team vans only (first in first out).  We will then park cars in sections marked on map.  We have been granted parking at the model airplane field for late arrivals -- this hopefully will alleviate post race congestion.  Porta-Johns will be on available on site.

Victor Ashe Park

 The course will start and finish on the soccer fields just below the concession stands and rest rooms.    Course boundaries will be mowed-in by the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department and most of last years dirt paths are covered in mulch.  A 10 meter path has been laid out through all wooded areas.  Wide open starting area with a flat start.  Course will be rolling.  Parking is excellent since we will be using over 300 parking spaces that will be part of the soccer complex at the park.  Rest rooms will be available at the park concession area.  The park is located adjacent to Badget Field access to the park will be off of Bradshaw road and not Badget Field.   Directions:  Off of I-640 take the Western Ave. exit.  Follow Western Ave West (towards Oak Ridge ) .3 miles to Ballcamp Pike - take a right at the light by Wendy's Restaurant and follow Ball Camp to Bradshaw Rd.  Take a right onto Bradshaw and follow 1 mile to the entrance to the park on left.  Bear left when entering park to the XC parking area, please follow parking instructions given by security officers.  

Melton Hill Dam

Used frequently of the past 10-12 years for HS meets.  2005 marked the first time we used this venue for our MS/EL meet.   This venue is located in Oak Ridge. The course is a loop course with one major hill going out on the course.  Surface is predominantly grass. Directions: Take I-40 W past the I-40 / I-75 split to exit 364.  At the end of the exit ramp take a right and follow Rt 95 towards Oak Ridge for 1-2 miles and take the first entrance into Melton Hill Dam follow for ½ mile to signs for parking.

Maryville College

 Run for the first time in 2003, the Maryville College course provides runners a flat start and finish area adjacent to the Maryville College soccer fields.  A majority of the course utilizes single track paths in the woods that border the campus.  The course is fast but tactically challenging with passing space at a premium in the woods.  Directions from Knoxville: Take either Pellissippi Parkway or Alcoa Hwy to Alcoa, TN. on state Rt. 35.   Proceed through Alcoa to 321 (Lamar Alexander Pkwy.),  take a right on 321 and the entrance to the college will be on your left.  Once on campus follow signs for the Athletic Complex.  Parking will be in the lots behind the athletic complex above the cemetery.

KTC's Footlocker / AAU Cross Country Program

 At the conclusion of the Middle School Cross Country Program participants who are interested may continue their Cross Country experience by taking part in KTC's Footlocker / AAU Cross Country Program.  Starting October 12th boys and girls ages 8-18 will practice 3-5 x week at one of six tentative practice sites.  West - Farragut MS,  West Valley MS, Northwest - Victor Ashe Park, Blount County - Maryville Middle School,  Hamblin County - Panther Creek Park, Oak Ridge Oak Ridge High School.  The Knoxville Track Club Team will compete in three races leading up to the AAU National Cross Country Championships.  For final practice locations, times and registration forms please click the following link: Footlocker / AAU Cross Country Program or call Marty Sonnenfeldt @ 865-460-2486.