Ardrey Kell Girl’s XC Guidelines

1. School Rules/Code of Conduct:

Follow all the school rules according to the Ardrey Kell Code of Student Conduct Handbook.

Please pay close attention to the Honor Code contract you signed.

2. Attendance Policy:
We will practice just about every day, Monday through Friday with practice promptly starting at 3:30
and typically ending at 5:30. All athletes are required to attend practices from start to end. In addition,
we may have meets or practices on Saturdays which are also mandatory for those asked to attend.

Each and every day we have together is vital to helping us achieve the individual and teams goals we set this
season. If there is any reason that you may be late (meeting with a teacher, making up missed assignments, or
other school related activities,) please get a pass from the teacher you are visiting so that we can know where
you were. Coming to practice late on a regular basis will also hinder your performance. When you come to
practice late, you are missing vital information, stretching and strengthening exercises. If you need extra help
from a teacher, please make every attempt to schedule a time before school so that it will not interfere with
practice.

You are allowed five for the entire season.

We do encourage our athletes to be well-rounded individuals, participating in activities and events outside of
the Cross Country program. We understand that there may be occasions in which an athlete is forced to miss a
practice or come to practice late. However, if we wish to accomplish our goals, it is vital that we practice as a
team on a daily basis. An excused absence is one that is related to family, religious, medical or school
activities. Absences due to illnesses are not considered as an excused or unexcused absence. If you are absent
due to illness, your coaches would appreciate an e-mail telling us that you are absent so that we are not
waiting for you to begin practice or worried about your safety. If you are not feeling well throughout the
day and feel that you will not benefit from practice, you will need to speak with a coach before heading home
for the day. In addition, you may be held out of meets if you miss practice.

3. Grades:
School must come first! You are in school to be a student, not a professional athlete.

Eligibility is determined based on previous semester grades.

4. Conduct:
Wherever you are as a member of the Ardrey Kell Cross Country team, you are representing yourself,
the coaches, the team, the school and the community. It is vital that you behave in a way that
demonstrates a sense of maturity and responsibility wherever you are.

Recognizing the importance of time and place should help you to assess what is proper behavior for the
moment. We will be spending a LOT of time together and we wish to make this the best time possible. Each
member of the team is expected to treat ALL others (whether they are team members, members of the
boys’ team, opponents, other coaches, or officials) with kindness, respect and courtesy. If you find that
you cannot follow this rule, you will promptly be asked to leave the program. Keep in mind that what you
say to others and how you act toward others reflects on our program and school. Everyone who competes
has worked hard and deserves your admiration. Please feel free to cheer for all athletes regardless of their team,
but be sure to cheer the loudest for our wonderful AK teammates. The more you cheer for others, the more they
will cheer for you! We want to be known as a friendly yet competitive team, please help us develop this
tradition.

5. Health:
A balanced diet and plenty of rest is a must and will be a tremendous aide to you as you attempt to reach
your goals this season.

You will be putting great strains on your body throughout the season as your train. Keeping yourself healthy
will be a difficult but vital task. Please concern yourself with your diet and health care. If you feel that you are
becoming overwhelmed with schoolwork and are lacking sleep, please talk with a coach so that we may work
something out to give you more time. Any athlete who feels compelled to lose weight in order to become a
better athlete or who maintains an unhealthy weight will not be allowed to practice or compete.

6. Asthma or other Health Conditions:

If you have asthma, you are required to have your inhaler with you at all times.
If you do not have your inhaler, you will not be able to practice or compete.

7. Injuries:
Athletes must ask a coach to visit the trainer unless there is an emergency situation.

We will be pushing our bodies to their limits during many practices and meets and you will get sore. Athletes
need to learn the difference between soreness and regular aches and pains and a true injury. Any and all
injuries should be reported to a coach immediately. It is important to NOT make it a habit to bow out of
practices to see a trainer as you will be missing valuable practice time that will be essential to you improving
your performances. If a situation does arrive where an athlete needs to see the trainer daily for pre-workout
aide, the athlete should do so quickly prior to the start of practice. If there is a long wait, the athlete should
report to practice and then get clearance from a coach to return to the trainer for aide.

9. Cell Phones:
Phones must be turned off and be put away during practices.

We want the students engaged and supporting their teammates. Athletes are not going to be allowed to use their
phones for 15 minutes after we complete our last part of our workout. Reflection on how their practice went is
important and it will give them a chance to interact with teammates.
10. Practice Attire:
Please dress appropriately for practice.

You are here to work hard and achieve your goals, not to put on a fashion show. We will be working out with
the boys’ team for most of the season. Please keep yourself covered. We expect you to wear shorts that are
meant for our sport (running shorts or spandex shorts) and t-shirts or tank tops.

11. Uniforms:
As a way of demonstrating team pride, clothing that identifies you as a member of the Ardrey Kell XC
team should be the only clothing worn at a meet.

Each member of the track and field/XC team will be issued a school uniform. In an effort to keep these
uniforms in good condition, they are only to be worn for meets. Please remember you are representing AK and
dress accordingly. In inclement weather other personal clothing may be worn, but it must be worn under the
AK team apparel. It is each athlete’s responsibility to return all issued equipment in the same condition
as when issued. Lost or damaged equipment must be paid for at the replacement price.

12. Riding the Bus:

9th and 10th graders must ride the bus to weekday meets. 11th and 12th graders can drive only themselves
and siblings to meets. Also, students may only go home with their parents. Athletes are to remain at the
meets through the awards.

13. Rides/Car Pool

Please try to car pool. Please reach out to another parent if it is difficult to pick your child up between
5:15 and 5:30 pm. Everyone lives pretty close to each other, so please make an effort.

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14. Varsity Letters:
A varsity letter is a sign of accomplishment and should be regarded as such. A runner must compete in
two varsity meets in a season or any post season meet.

The Ardrey Kell Cross Country staff is looking forward to working with the young women on
the team and getting to know the families of our athletes. Everyone’s cooperation is truly
appreciated. When it is necessary, please feel free to call or e-mail one of the coaches:

Brandon Webb
(Girls’ Head Coach)
eiudmr@gmail.com