Preparing to watch Your First Cross Country Meet

When you arrive at the meet site, locate our large blue canopy tent (the one that says “Council Grove Braves” in big letters on the side!). Once you have found the team tent, ask to see a course map. First locate the start and finish, then try to scout central points where you can see as much of the race with as little moving around as possible. Some schools share our colors, so try to observe the differences while teams are warming up before the start. Be aware that our meets usually feature 2 boys and 2 girls races and last about 2 hours. We will have informed your son or daughter about the correct race division and time beforehand.

Do not expect the attention of your son or daughter once we get to the meet. The athletes need time to warm up on the course, be briefed by their coaches, and prepare for the race with their teammates. Many parents are initially surprised at the seriousness their son or daughter shows prior to and during a race. The intensity of competition may reveal a side of your young athlete’s personality you haven’t seen before.

During the race, you can move from point to point along the course to cheer the runners as they pass. Be careful, however, to stay off the runners’ path and out of their way. Rules also forbid running alongside a competitor to pace or encourage him or her.

At the finish of the race, the runners file through a finish chute. It’s okay to greet them then, but please understand that our runners have other responsibilities after a race. After most races, each finisher will be given a card with a number on it. This is your child's team place and must be turned into the coach immediately after the race. We expect them to jog and cool down as a team and actively support their teammates who have yet to race. Some runners are more spent than others after a race. Typical symptoms of their effort and fatigue are breathlessness, general weakness, rubbery legs, glassy eyes, salivating, and sometimes nausea. A mistake parents sometimes make is to take their sons off by themselves to try to take care of them. Please do not do this! Our coaches are experienced in dealing with these symptoms, trained in first-aid, and responsible for their care. Additionally, there will be trainers and medical staff available. To aid recovery, water and/or a sports drink is the best thing to have immediately after a race.

Expect the possibility of some disappointment by your athlete after the race of his or her team did not win, and/or if he or she failed to achieve all goals. Athletes may need some emotional space afterward from both you and their coaches. Later on, they will need verbal support rather than criticism.

Once an away meet is over, if your son or daughter came on our bus, please do not take him or her home with without first checking with me. I am legally responsible for athletes’ safe transport to and from the meet. You need to know that high school athletes are not allowed to drive themselves to a meet, and afterward, I can release them only to you. Athletes MAY NOT ride home with anyone besides thier own parent unless arrangements have been made with the principal BEFORE the bus leaves the high school.