Joining the Team

Athlete Requirements for the 2023 Season

Being a member of the 2023 Alpharetta High School Cross Country Team is a enjoyable and rewarding experience. We are a competitive team where membership requires preparation, commitment, hard work, and a good attitude. To join the team:

Have athletic clearance, check out the athletic clearance tab on the website. No physical = No practice.
Attend summer running and required fall practices
Dual sport or activity athletes must sign and talk thru a contract prior to team registration. We want to make sure your schedule will be balanced and not overwhelming!
Read, understand, and sign the athletic contract

Parents, join our Parents Remind. Link is on the home page of the team website
Runners, join our XC Runners Groupme. Link is on the home page of the team website.
Keep a running log to track your training and progress. STRAVA is a free app that the coaches would like everyone to use. Join the Alpharetta Cross Country team so the coaches and fellow runners can give you kudos and encouraging comments!

Must have completed to begin running in summer (6/5/23) or July 31st (official practice begins)

Complete ALL the forms (parental digital signature) and upload your physical (all 4 pages) to the DragonFly Maxx to obtain athletic clearance. (Website Tab: Athletic Clearance).
Join the athlete Groupme text group and parents join the Remind (on homepage of website).

Meet & Practice Information

Summer Running Unofficial Practice

- Begins June 5th, 2022 @ AHS Stadium. Find more details on calendar.
- Summer running unofficial practices are a great way for new runners to meet returning runners. Attending summer running also begins the continuation of building a strong, supportive team culture before being in the official season. Summer running is ESSENTIAL in building your base to be more successful in the Fall and reduce the risk of injury.
- Typically begins the first week in June and ends the last week in July. You can find specific dates on calendar.
  - Anytime you are able to join, please attend!
- Items to bring: filled up water bottle (write your name on it), timing watch (regular or Smart, preferred if possible), and a positive attitude.

Official Season Practice

- Begins July 31st, 2023--more details on calendar.
- Monday & Friday 5:50 A.M. at AHS Track. Be on time.
  Showers/locker rooms to be provided after practice.
- Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:50 PM--6:00 PM at AHS Track. Be on time.
- Typical Week
  - Monday and Wednesday: Workout days (tempo, repeats, Raider hill, etc.)
  - Tuesday and Thursday: Mileage Runs & Weight Room
  - Friday before meet: Easy mileage run/Maintenance Workout
  - Friday before no meet: Workout/Maintenance Workout

Meets

- Team 2 mile time trial and parent xc kickoff Friday, August 11th, 2023. Additional meets are Mid-August--Late October. Making it to State: early November. Look at the calendar and block those dates off.
- Saturday mornings
- Saturday Meet morning typical routine
  - Bus leaves over by AHS gym at 5--5:45 A.M. (depending on where we go)
    - All runners MUST ride bus to meet. You miss the bus--you do not race that day.
    - Also, NO uniform = NO race.
  - Runners help bring stuff from bus to where we setup our tent at meet.
  - Runners get bibs and running chips from coaches (stay around the team tent area).
  - Runners warm-up based on timing sheet.
  - Parents/Guardians, please do not distract your runner before they race. Talk to them after please.
  - If you are not racing or warming up, you are cheering on your team members. Try to stay together.
  - If you do need to ride home, runner and parent/guardian must check out with their corresponding coach. The coach must know you are leaving with your parent/guardian before the day-of a meet. If you are riding home with a teammate's parent, the FCS Transportation Form must be signed and given to Coach Baron by paper-copy or email the day prior to the meet (baronhl@fultonschools.org).

Other Information

Contact Coaches Holly Baron and Derek Wright with any further questions!