For off season text updates, text "@xctrack4u" to 81010

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2025 Dates to Remember

The 2024 cross country season wrapped up on November 9. We hope you'll consider joining the team for our 2025 season.
2025 Dates to put on your calendar now:  
Early June: All potential team members should start pre-season conditioning at home. Check back here for conditioning plans.
July 1: Registration opens for returning team members. Registration can be found on this webpage. 
July 10: Registration opens for new team members. 
July 28:​ 1st official team practice
*The team will be capped at 50 participants. 

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

All middle and high school CSTHEA athletes are now required to complete a physical prior to participation. You must download and print the form below. It must be completed by a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathics, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Completed forms must be turned in at the parent meeting or first practice. 

Physical Form

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Athlete Responsibility

The high school team is a competitive team. If you are looking for a running club, social outlet or P.E. credit, this is not the team for you. The assumption will be made that each runner is participating by their own choice. Hard work and dedication is expected. The average team member will run 25-35 miles per week. Each team member is expected to participate in independent summer conditioning at home throughout the summer. See Summer Conditioning document above. Please discuss seriously with your student whether they are ready to commit to this before registering. Additionally, it is not conducive for runners to compete on other sports teams during the cross country season. 

In addition, CSTHEA student athletes are required to agree to the Statement of Faith & Code of Conduct. Each athlete will be upheld to a high standard of character and integrity. Coarse joking, inappropriate language, gossip, dishonesty, disrespect, bullying, sexual misconduct and defiance will not be tolerated. 

Practice Information

High School team practices are held Monday and Thursday evenings at Greenway Farms. Long runs are held Saturday mornings at various locations (Greenway Farms, Enterprise South, Ruby Falls, etc). As with any other sports team (basketball, soccer, etc.) siblings or other non-team members are not permitted to participate in practices. If you need to drop your runner off at practice you will need to designate, and communicate to your child, another parent to be responsible for your child in the event of inclement weather, injury, etc. Team members are also required to run 3 days at home outside of scheduled team practices according to the workout schedule. 

Season Schedule

Cross country season is longer than many sports seasons so please consider that before registering. The entire season is about 15 weeks long running from late July - the 2nd week of November. The first race will be held in late August. The team will participate in 6-8 races including in-town weekday and Saturday races as well as out of town races in locations such as Knoxville, Nashville, Cookeville and Dayton. The season culminates with an overnight option at Fort Bluff for the NACA Championship. 

Gear Required

• Watch: All runners are required to wear a watch with a stopwatch feature at every practice. 
• Shoes: Well-fitting, running shoes in good condition are required. We recommend the following brands: Altra, Brooks, Nike. We strongly advise you visit Fast Break, Front Runner or Fleet Feet for a fitting and to purchase appropriate shoes. These shoes typically cost $90-130. It is well worth the investment to protect your student athlete from injury. Shoes which are worn out, too small or not designed for running are not permitted and can lead to injury. Some athletes like to use XC spikes for races. These are not required but can be helpful. We have a lending library of spikes in various sizes which you may borrow for the season for a small contribution. 
• Athletic clothing: It may go without saying but athletic shirts, shorts and socks are expected. Young ladies need appropriate undergarments (sports bra). As the weather gets cooler, your runner will likely need a pair of thin running gloves and breathable beanie cap. Hats and sunglasses may be worn for practice but typically cannot be worn in races. 

Cost

Participant cost is about $130 per runner which includes uniform and race registrations. Reduced cost for returning runners not needing uniforms is available. Additional cost: our final race, NACA, includes a sleepover option at Fort Bluff Camp which costs approximately $65 per runner. In addition, all athletes must have an up to date association membership: Join CSTHEA.

Coaches

Andrew and Robin Scharff are the volunteer head coaches for Patriots Running. This will be their 8th year coaching the Patriots. Andrew has many years of XC/Track experience both as a participant and coach through the collegiate level. Robin enjoys crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's. They are both are active in their own running pursuits, completing races from 5k's to the IRONMAN 70.3. Their children are rising 11th, 10th, 9th and 4th graders all participating in the program. They appreciate your patience as they keep all the plates spinning - or laces tied, as the case may be!

Looking for more information? Be sure to check the XC homepage:  Cross Country - Boys & Girls 
​You may also email Coaches Andrew and Robin Scharff: r[email protected]