Steamboat Springs Middle School Cross Country 2023
Practice Start Date: Monday, Aug 21, 2023
SSMS XC Website
Athletes need to turn in all of the following required items the first day of practice:
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Completed sports physical (2 pages)
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Code of Conduct
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$85 Sports Fee
To be paid through the portal.
Contact Information
Head Coach: Danielle Weekley
Email: dweekley@ssk12.org
Phone: 7206330210
Hi parents and student-athletes! Cross Country(XC) is a long-distance running sport that accepts and encourages kids of ALL athletic abilities. Whether it is the first time an athlete has run or they just competed in the 2021 Olympics, we are excited to have all athletes on the team.
Coaching Philosophy
Our coaching methodology in XC focuses on being inclusive of all athletes and abilities, setting and achieving goals(physical & mental), and most of all, having fun!
Expectations of XC Runners
We ask that all cross-country runners show up with a positive attitude and put in a reasonable effort each and every day.
XC Races
XC races are 2 miles long and run through various surfaces and venues including city parks and trails, golf courses, and neighborhood streets(limited). The courses are fun and challenging without requiring you to take 32 left turns around a track. The distance is the same for all grades and genders.
Tentative Cross Country Meet Schedule
Wednesday, September 6
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Summit Middle School
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SMS
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5:00 PM
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Saturday, September 9
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Steamboat Springs Invitational (Craig, Meeker, Soroco)
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SSMS
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10:00 AM
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Wednesday, September 13
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Berry Creek
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Miller Ranch
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5:00 PM
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Saturday, September 16
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Meeker
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Meeker
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10:00 AM
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Wednesday, September 20
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Sleeping Giant Middle School
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SGS
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4:30PM
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Saturday, September 23
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Craig Meet
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Craig
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8:30 AM
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Saturday, September 30
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Copper Cup
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Copper Mtn
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10:00 AM
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Practice
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Monday through Thursday Time: 3:40-5:00pm
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Location: We will meet at the Steamboat Springs Middle School Cafeteria to start each practice. Practice will take place on the middle school grounds as well as local trails such as Butcherknife, Spring Creek, Sailors Way, etc.
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XC practice will take place 4 days a week.
No Practice Days
Equipment
Athletes will need running apparel and proper running shoes. Having running shoes that aren’t old and worn down is very important and will help prevent injuries. Trail running shoes hold up the best since we will be on dirt for 99% of practice and at XC meets, but road running shoes will work too.
Pre-Season Training
Cross country has a short season and the races start early in the season. To get ready for the season, we recommend athletes begin running in August if they are not involved in other endurance focused activities. If an athlete has not run before, we recommend running a comfortable pace for 5-10 minutes, 4-days a week and build up to 15-20 minutes a day, 4-days a week.
If an athlete is involved in other non-running endurance activities through the summer, we encourage these athletes to begin to incorporate running into their training if not doing so already. This can vary based on activity, but we encourage running at a comfortable pace starting with 15-20 minutes of running, 4-days a week, and build up to 25-30 minutes, 4-days a week.