Cretin-Derham Hall

Track & Field

What is Track And Field?

Track and Field is a multi-event team sport in which individuals compete against individuals from other teams in various events in order to score points for their respective team.

There are 18 total events which are competed in the state of Minnesota. These events are made up of:

12 Track Events*:

Sprinting Events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m (a.k.a. 400m Relay), 4 x 200m (a.k.a. 800m Relay), 4 x 400m (a.k.a. 1600m Relay)

Hurdle Events: 100m Intermediate Hurdles (girls), 110m High Hurdles (boys), 300m Low Hurdles (girls), 300m Intermediate Hurdles (boys)

Distance Events: 800m, 1600m, 3200m, 4 x 800m (a.k.a 3200m Relay)

6 Field Events*:

Jump Events: High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault

Throwing Events: Discus and Shot Put

*Athletes are allowed to compete in 4 events in any meet. These 4 events must be a combination of both track and field events and can not be only track or only field. An athlete may compete in 3 track events and 1 field event; or 2 track events and 2 field events; or 1 track event and 3 field events. These are maximums. Most of our athletes will only be competing in two or three events per meet, depending on specific meet restrictions and our ability to get all athletes an opportunity to compete.

What do you need to participate in Track and Field?

You will need to purchase a uniform, both the top and the bottom from the athletic office during the first two weeks of practice. Tops cost $20 and bottoms cost $20. The day(s) of uniform sales will be announced at practice. You must compete in one of these uniforms to be legal during meets. If you have a uniform (both tops and bottoms) from a previous year that still fits, you can use that. Make checks payable to CDH.

Training shoes for your event are a must have. You should have a good pair of running shoes. These will be enough for some athletes. However, many athletes will want a pair of competition spikes or event shoes for throwing or jumping. These shoes are made with the demands of sprinting, jumping, or throwing in mind and will help support your feet as you compete. They may also be used from time to time in practice for things like relay exchanges and other technique work.

Throughout the season the weather generally gets warmer. But in the transitions from winter to spring and spring to summer there can be many days where weather changes throughout the day. With that being understood, you should always have a light jacket, sweatshirt, hat, and light gloves, as well as, shorts and short sleeve shirt available to you at practice and at meets. At the very least you should keep a plastic trash bag in you backpack in the event it should rain at a meet.

Many of the running workouts are based on performance - measured by time. So that you know how you are doing in your workout you need to bring a watch with you to practice. This does not have to be a fancy or expensive watch. Any watch with a stop watch will do. You are also encouraged to log your workouts so that you can see your progress and track your fitness. It will also help you to better understand when your body needs a rest.

Track and field is also a sport of intangibles. You need to come to practice and meets with a good attitude. Be positive about everything that you are doing. This will help to make it seem less like work and lighten your burden. You will be more prepared to do what is necessary to succeed.

Attendance Policy:

Track and Field has practices 5 days a week with meets scheduled during the week and on Saturday. If an athlete is going to miss practice they must let the coaches know before hand in person or via phone, email, or text. Not doing so will result in an unexcused absence. After 3 unexcused absences athletes will be cut from the team.

Practices

Early in the season the team will meet at Cretin-Derham Hall in the lower gym, fitness center, or upper gym. Your coach will inform you of the location. This may change from day to day. Throwers will, however mostly be practicing on the mondo, and distance will be going outside.

Starting around the last week of March practices will be moved from Cretin-Derham Hall to Macalester College's track on the corner of St. Claire Avenue and Snelling Avenue. This is where the team will meet daily. From there event groups will split up for their workout. Your event coach will let you know when this transition will be made.

Generally practices will last for an hour and a half. We have to be done at Macalester by 4:30 PM per our contract. We will start practice at 3:00PM. DO NOT BE LATE. You are responsible for getting yourself to and from practices. (Meet transportation is provided.) During the course of a practice activities will vary from event group to event group. There may be running, jumping, sprinting, throwing, weight lifting (at CDH), calisthenics, or all of the above, done by any or all groups in a single day. Come prepared to work hard and be positive at the day's practice.

Meets

Our first outdoor competition will be about the fourth week of the season, depending on Spring Break and the weather.

Athletes are expected to come to the meets to compete as well as support their team mates. There are meets designated as JV and Varsity as well as meets where JV and Varsity compete together.

Weekday meets will start at 3:30 PM and will last until at least 6:30 PM. This is a big time commitment. All athletes need to stay for the entire meet and support their teammates in all events. During the course of the meet athletes may work on homework, but should do it in a place where they can also support the team. It may be necessary for an athlete to leave after a meet with their parent or guardian. Before doing so the athlete should check out with a coach.

Weekend meets will start at 12:00 PM and will last until at least 3:00 PM. Come prepared to spend the day with your team. These are fun events which give you a chance to compete against different teams outside our conference and section.

Competition rosters will be posted at practice on the first day of the week. Athletes need to check these rosters and verify with the coach which events they are scheduled to run. If you are in a relay and know that you cannot come to the meet you must tell your coach prior to the meet.

Club Athletes

Track and Field should be your first athletic priority in the spring. You have been given or can find a track and field schedule on the web, plan to be at practices and meets. We will work with you to the best of our ability, but you must be pro-active and communicate with us as well.

Transportation

As mentioned above athletes are responsible for their own transportation to practice. After practice it is recommended that parents pick their athletes up at Cretin-Derham Hall as Macalester College is not set-up for this type of traffic.

Transportation to and from meets will be provided. Athletes may leave with their parents at the end of a meet, but not before having completed a cool down. They also must check in with a coach before they leave.

Departure times are listed on the schedule for departures from CDH as well as approximate departures from the meet venue.

Goals

As individuals and a team we have accomplished many great things. We have sent many individuals and relays from our team to the state meet. In 2005 the girls' team placed second in the Section 3AA meet and lead the meet through the majority of events. It should be your intention to work hard to continue to improve the team. In the process you will improve your own performances.

As coaches, we ask our athletes do the very best that they can. This includes academically and athletically.

Awards

Through hard work and dedication, athletes will have the opportunity to win awards. As a team there are trophies for coming first in several of the invitational meets we attend. As individuals, there are medals,ribbons, and t-shirts that can be won for placing well in an event at some meets.

Lettering Policy

Participation in 5 Meets
Good Attendance – no more than 5 total absences (not including spring break)

If injured managed injury (worked to recovery, checked in daily with coaches) and continued to support the team

Academics in good standing throughout the season

There will be a team ice cream social the Friday after the section meet to confer letters and other awards.