We, as coaches at Dana Hills High School, wish to welcome you to our Cross Country program. We view this team as an extended family and hope that your participation will be both rewarding and life changing.
Success in running does not come easy. We hope that the information provided here will enable you to set and achieve realistic and meaningful goals throughout your high school running career.
PRACTICE Summer practice starts on August 1st. We meet mornings M-F, at the high school. An honest effort rule will be in place at every practice. Your attendance is mandatory to maintain your position on the team. The "3 Strike" rule is in effect. Any athlete with 3 unexcused absences may forfeit an upcoming trip, race, or team activity. Excess absences may result in your dismissal from the team. During the season (6th period), a missed workout may result in forfeiture of your next race. Parents should contact the coach with advance notification of family vacations. Consistency is the key to proper training and successful running.
CONDUCT As a member of the Dana Hills XC team, you are a part of one of the most successful programs in the state. You should be proud of your choice and should help maintain the high level of commitment that brings this success. Remember that your attitude and conduct represents your school, teammates, coaches, and family. Inappropriate conduct may result in disciplinary action which can include dismissal from practice, forfeiture of races, and ultimately dismissal from the team. Your team captains are held to a high standard and should be considered an extension of the coaching staff.
TRAVEL The XC team travels annually to Big Bear for a 5-6 day training camp. We usually travel to Hawaii for an invitational as well. These and other trips are earned rewards for successful racing, training, and attitude. The top 5 performers are generally guaranteed these trips and the remainder of the team is to be decided by the coaching staff. These members will be chosen for their combination of commitment, desire, attendance, focus, and success.
DOCTOR/DENTIST APPOINTMENTS Please make every effort possible to schedule these appointments around our XC schedule. Do not schedule physical therapy appointments during practice hours. If you must miss a practice or an XC meet, please have your parents contact the coaching staff prior to the appointment. When ill or injured, you are expected to be at all practices unless otherwise cleared with the coaching staff.
ILLNESS/INJURIES If you are ill and must miss a practice or an XC meet, please have your parents contact the coaching staff prior to that absence. If you feel that you are injured, notify a coach immediately. If we feel that you need intervention beyond our abilities, we will recommend a trainer or physician. Never attempt to hide an injury from the coaching staff. This could endanger your health and, secondarily, your season.
WEATHERHeat, rain, wind, or other foul weather are not reasons for missing practice. Our competition will be training and so will we.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESWhile we realize that XC may not be your only extra-curricular activity, we ask that you do not take unnecessary risks. We take our sport seriously and expect you to make XC your priority sport during the season.
