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2023 Cross Country
It's not too late to join!

It’s not too late to join!   All 5th – 8th grade boys and girls are welcome to join the St. Ignatius Cross Country team!!    Students may participate in more than one St. Ignatius sport at a time.  

Come run!  Cross Country is a great way to inspire a life long love of running.  Everyone participates.  We compete as a team and athletes compete against themselves. 

We call cross country the most “low impact parent sport.”  Why?  We compete in roughly 3 meets plus the championships. You will likely be in and out of a meet in less 45 minutes.  You don’t have to buy expensive gear. And, coaches are happy to shuttle your kids from school to practice. 

While we technically compete as a team, we emphasize personal growth.  Kids see their times and confidence grow from week to week. We 
emphasize self motivation and fitness.  We’ll break the kids into groups according to speed. 

That runner’s high? It’s legit. And, we hear a lot of kids settle straight into homework after practice thanks to “shaking” the day on an afternoon trail run. Also, the sport is very, very social. We talk non-stop during practice so it’s a fun way for kids to get fit and hang out with new friends.

Also, did you know cross country is a no-cut sport in high school? There’s a place for everyone, regardless of size or speed. 

Q: When are practices? 
A: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:15 – 4:15pm


Q: Where are practices?
A: We train on the American River Bike Trail 10 minutes from SI
Meeting place: William Pond park entrance is the gathering spot.

Q: How do I find out more about St. Ignatius Cross Country?  A: Email Coach Nelson  cnelson@stignatiussacschool.org

Q: Can my kid get a ride from school?
A: Yes. We leave the school at 3:10pm.If athletes need a ride the meeting place are the lunch tables outside 8th grade.  We need parents to help with carpooling students.  Contact Coach Nelson if you can help shuttle athletes back and forth for practice.  

Q: What if it rains?
A: Your kid will get wet. Lightning cancels practice. Rain does not. And, we figure out ways to work around heat too. 

Q: My kid does other sports. What if we can’t make every practice? 
A: Cross country is a great second sport. It’s okay if you can’t come to every practice. But, all teams members will be expected to compete in meets.

Q: How far do the kids run?
A: In a meet, they’ll run roughly a mile. Kids compete by gender and division (Varsity/JV.)  It’s a mass start. Roughly 12 minutes later, all the competitors are in and you’re free to leave as soon as your kid crosses the finish line. 
In practice, we’ll log anywhere from 2-3 miles. 

Q: Is it true I can get athletic hours while working out? 
A:  Sure is! Parents are always welcome to run with us and be an extra set of eyes and/or sherpa water on the trail! Check Helper Helper for volunteer opportunities.