About
Mission Statement
The Carl Sandburg Girls' Cross Country program seeks to achieve and maintain excellence in running for every athlete in the program. Our goal is to treat each girl as an individual and to learn and foster her ability. Regardless of natural ability each girl is expected to work hard on a daily basis. A new runner should prepare for a season by running continuously 3.0 miles under 28:00 minutes. The girls run 6 days a week and average 40-50 miles. You need a base built up before you enter the program. Within the structured program, each individual will be supported and nurtured within the framework of a team atmosphere.
Philosophy
At Carl Sandburg, we believe that cross country is unique. We believe it's the melting pot of sports. Cross country is suited to display individual accomplishments while remaining within a team sport. It is also unique that every girl can run/compete in every competition throughout the season up to Conference Championship. We have an open door policy and all interested are welcome. We believe that the individual efforts and talents become an essential ingredient that adds character to our team aspect! Our team standard is to reach and strive for your best abilities and STATE might be a part of your experience.
Christina Soldan
Head Girls Cross Country
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 2011
PARENTS EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS
Welcome to the girls cross country program. Your daughter(s) have chosen to join a competitive running program at Carl Sandburg. We hope to see you supporting your daughters and the program throughout the season. We run from August to November. Most competitions are Saturday mornings.
Coach Soldan will message weekly newsletters on the website to inform you of arrival times for the bus, race times, pick up times and driving directions to the meets. The website is http://www.sandburgcrosscountry.com/ and you should mark it as a favorite throughout the season. If you have pictures from the meet you can submit them to the site and we will place them in a secure Shutter Fly account for all the team to enjoy.
Our program is based on time. It is a clear and precise measurement of achievement. The coaches will make the lineup decisions based on time performances by the girls. In cross country seven girls can compete on the varsity and freshman-sophomore levels. The first five girls score per team. All the girls however can compete within the junior varsity level. Everyone is provided the opportunity to race. No one is excluded.
COMPETITION DAY GOALS:
#1: MAINTAIN A HIGH DEGREE OF SELF-DISCIPLINE CHARACTERIZED BY CLASS
This means:
- Cheer for your daughter.
- Have the highest degree of respect for the coaches, who will also give you that same respect
- Conduct yourself in a manner consistent with class, do not argue or swear in the girls' presence.
#2: MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SUPPORT BY BEING AN OPEN-MINDED PARTNER.
This means:
- Our program offers
opportunities for parental involvement
- sign up to host/help with a pasta party for team.
- bring in a baked goods for the craft fair.
- supervise the girls at the craft fair set up/take down.
- be a tent dad/mom, join the tent dad organization, see Mr. Tom Crotty for information
- Team photographer
#3: TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR DAUGTHER AS A FEMALE RUNNER.
This means:
- Respect your daughter's race preparations. Some need distance while other hugs.
- Stay out of the competitor's race tent before the race and out of the starter box.
- Keep your questions and concerns to yourself. Bring them to the coaches attention at an appropriate time, not on the race course, tent or competition day, but rather via email and then if necessary a follow up meeting.
- Respect all the girls and parents within the program, do not gossip or speak unkindly of anyone.
- Do not talk with any IHSA official on the course or starting line; this is a coach's role if needed.
#4: TEAM POLICIES THAT AFFECT PARENTS TOO.
- Your daughters must be at practice 10 minutes before the start of every practice and 15 minutes before the pre-determined arrival time on competition/ race days.
- If your daughter is LATE for practice or a race, she will not run in the next competition. The more she is late, the less time she will compete. This is a policy that treats all runners equitably by taking into consideration those that strive to consistently arrive on time and begin work right when practice starts.
- If your daughter MISSES a practice or a race without a coach's prior knowledge, or because of a discipline reason, your daughter will be required to sit the next race.
- TWO unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the team.
- If your daughter has to miss a practice or a race, she needs to talk to Coach Soldan, Coach Ciccarelli, or Coach Nelson personally at least 24 hours in advance. This is the girls responsibility not yours as their parents. If she cannot notify one of us face to face, please send an e-mail to: csoldan@d230.org at least 24 hours in advance.
- After races, your daughters will be expected to ride the bus home with the team. If you have to take your daughter home after the meet, you must notify Coach Soldan via email 24hours in advance. One family may not take another athlete home unless both parties have emailed Coach Soldan in advance.
- This season Coach Soldan is on maternity leave from teaching. She will not be available to the athletes during the school day. Coach Ciccarelli and Coach Nelson are available on campus. Coach Ciccarelli will be at practice on Monday and Wednesday while Coach Nelson will be at practice on Tuesday and Thursday. We will have two coaches at all practices and meets throughout the season. This is to accommodate for our family responsibilities as moms.
**BE POSITIVE ALWAYS
**ENJOY A SENSE OF WELL-BEING FROM BEING
INVOLVED WITH YOUR DAUGTHER
Runner's name ____________________________
Runner's signature __________________________
Parent's name and signature______________________
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Please detach and turn into Coach Soldan on August 15,2011
I and my daughter(s) have read through the team policies, expectation and goals. We understand the conditions and are willing to act accordingly.
Girls Cross Country Program 2011
Runner's name and signature _____________________________________________
Parent name printed: _______________________________________
Parent signature_______________________________________________
Parent current email __________________________________________________
Parent cell phone for Booster and coaches' emergency ___________________________
