If you are reading this then your child has run in the St. John’s Cross Country team before or may be interested in running in the team this fall. The lessons that a child learns in running such as perseverance, drive, hard work, positive attitude, resilience, and teamwork are very important characteristics that help each child to become productive adults. Running is also a foundation necessary for most other sports, can be done alone or with groups for a lifetime, and encourages lifelong healthy habits. Cross Country is open to all students in grades 4-8.

Expectations - Cross Country races will range from 1 mile to 2 miles for the older grades. Races will take place on trails across fields or hills. There will be no track running. We will train for this by practicing mostly at Brandt/Quirk park with endurance runs and speed training runs.

Schedule - Practices will take place at Brandt/Quirk Park two or three times a week from 3:15-4:30pm starting the first week of school and through early October. We usually have 5 scheduled meets each year.

Contact - Parents will be asked to provide emails and cell phone numbers in order to receive schedule updates as weather is a large factor in this outdoor sport.

Drivers - We will need a couple of drivers to help transport children for practices each week. Without enough drivers we will not be able to hold practices. Please contact Mr. Phil Ewerdt to volunteer to drive at 3:15pm.

Donations - Water, fruit, cookies, snack foods are a great way to reward our runners, keep up their energy and stave off hunger on the drive home from meets. Parents will be asked to sign up to help supply snacks for one of our meets.

Thank you for your dedication to your children and their long-term health. Together, we will show them how fun running can be and what a great habit this will be for their whole life!

In Christ,

Mr. Phil Ewerdt and Mr. Joe Curia

St. John’s Eagles Cross Country Coaches