Cross Country
Welcome to PHS Cross Country 2020
Phase 1-Summer Conditioning
Phase 1 Postponed until further notice
8/12/2020
Practice Time, Location, Drop off and Pick up
PRACTICE DATE:Â TBDÂ Â TIME:Â TBD
Practice Location:Â Johnson Park School
Drop Off Location:Â Johnson Park Drop Off Circle (front of building)
Temperature Check Location: Johnson Park School Drop Off Circle ( front of building on sidewalk)
Pick Up Location (Social Distancing): Johnson Park School ParkingÂ
Phase 1 is currently on hold until further notice
8/12/2020
Practice Time, Location, Drop off and Pick up
PRACTICE DATE:Â TBD Â TIME:Â TBD
Practice Location:Â Johnson Park School
Drop Off Location:Â Johnson Park Drop Off Circle (front of building)
Temperature Check Location: Johnson Park School Drop Off Circle ( front of building on sidewalk)
Pick Up Location (Social Distancing): Johnson Park School Parking
Return To Play Guidelines For Cross Country
Phase 1:Teams are permitted to offer individual, non-contact training sessions at the team level for groups of (10) individuals or less, including coaches, adult assistant(s), safety coordinator, and players.
Individual Training Restrictions:
– NJSIAA COVID-19 Health Questionnaire Must Be Completed & Returned To Your Coach On The First Day You Attend Pre-Season Conditioning Camp. CLICK HERE to print this required form to be eligible to participate.
– Players & Coaches Are Required To Daily Complete A Health Monitoring COVID-19 Questionnaire.  Please CLICK HERE To Access the Online Form & Complete The Form Using Any Smart Phone. You Will Need To Show Our Medical Staff The “Form Completion Screen” Prior To Receiving An Onsite Temperature Check.  Note: If You Do Not Own Smart Phone Paper Forms Will Be On Hand At Temperature Check Locations  The Paper Form Can Be Printed In Advance By CLICKING HERE.
– Limited to 20 or less players/coaches
– Zero tolerance non-contact policy (coach/player or player/player)
– No spectators allowed
– Must maintain social distancing minimum of 6 feet between participants throughout training
– Practices must be conducted outdoors
– Players who are visibly ill or have a fever or other symptoms are not permitted to practice and should remain home to monitor their health.
– Players/coaches must use hand sanitizer before, during breaks, and after practice.
– Players are not allowed to carpool to and from practice
– Players ARE REQUIRED to wear PPEs (masks) when not actively training.
– No Congregating Policy for players or parents in parking lots, at drop off zones, at entrance/exit areas of facility, or before or after training session
Requirements of Head Coach:
–Â communicate policy to coaching staff, parents and players, and provide regular updates and reminders.
– Assign each team an assistant coach to oversee compliance at the team level during training
– Ensure PPEs (masks) and sanitizing products are on hand and/or distributed to players as needed.
– Communicate immediately with the athletic trainer and/or school nurse in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case within a team and cancel all training sessions for that team until further notice.
– Schedule training sessions so that one team/group is able to conclude and depart their training location prior to the next teams arrival to avoiding high traffic times
-Establish designated drop off and pick up zones for specific practice locations
Requirements of Head Coach:
–Â communicate policy to coaching staff, parents and players, and provide regular updates and reminders.
– Assign each team an assistant coach to oversee compliance at the team level during training
– Ensure PPEs (masks) and sanitizing products are on hand and/or distributed to players as needed.
– Communicate immediately with the athletic trainer and/or school nurse in the event of a confirmed COVID19 case within a team and cancel all training sessions for that team until further notice.
– Schedule training sessions so that one team/group is able to conclude and depart theri training location prior to the next teams arrival to avoiding high traffic times
-Establish designated drop off and pick up zones for specific practice locations
ALL Coaches Are Required To:
– Wear PPEs (masks) at all times
– Limit equipment brought to practice, disinfecting all equipment before / after use
– Do not allow players to share pennies, other equipment, or water bottles
– Encourage players to bring their own balls to training. If they do not have one PPS will provide them a ball during the tryout period
– Require parents to confirm their child is symptom free before attending training
– Report confirmed cases of COVID-19 to our athletic trainer and or school nurse immediately and cease trainings
– Compliance with all local and state guidelines
James Smirk
Head Coach
Contact:Â jamessmirk@princetonk12.org
Jen Smolyn
Assistant Coach
Contact:Â Jennifersmolyn@princetonk12.org
Peter Stanton
Assistant Coach
Contact:Â Peterstanton@princetonk12.org
John Torrey
Assistant Coach
Contact:Â Johntorrey@princetonk12.org
Registration
Register for Cross Country
Impact Test
Want to know more about the impact test?
Need to register for an Impact test?
Equipment List
Practice + Meet Bag Checklist
Always bring a bag packed with:
- Water bottleÂ
- AIS rope (given out during preseason)
- Warm up bands (given out during preseason)
- Running journal
- Watch
- Sunscreen
- Snack (like granola bar)
- Extra shirt
- Extra pair of shorts
- 2 pairs of socks
- Fleece or quarter zip
- Towel
- Sports Bag (backpack or duffle)
- Rain jacket
- Big plastic trash bag in case of rain to store bag
- Phone (if you have one)
- Roller (if you have one)
- Buff (neck tube scarf)
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
Covid precautionsÂ
- Mask
- Hand Sanitizer
- Extra water bottle ( Refills may not be available)
- ______________________
- ______________________
- ______________________
As it gets colder in the season ( Late September, October, November), also bring:
- Running tights
- Winter hat
- Gloves
- Long sleeve shirt
- ______________________
- ______________________
To meets, also bring:
- Spikes (with bag)
- Racing uniform
- ______________________
- ______________________
Preseason
The first day of Preseason will be September 14th based on the new NJSIAA guidelines.
Practice will be held at the high school Track.
Tryouts
Cross Country is a full participation sport. Any Princeton high school student is welcome to join the team.
Requirements for becoming a team member after registering for the cross country team are:
1- All athletes are expected to attend practice daily prepared to practice.
2- Athletes are expected to give their best effort everyday. This doesn’t mean they need to be the fastest person on the team  but it does mean that the expectation for every athlete is that they contribute positively to the team experience through hard work, personal improvement, and consistent effort.
3- Positive mental attitude.
4-Â A willingness to be good to themselves and their teammates.
Core Philosophy
Princeton High School Cross Country can be characterized by the following core ideals.
1- Growth Mindset. I believe that ever individual has the capacity to grow given the time support and opportunity. It is our goal to provide the environment to support that growth.
2- Challenge by choice. I believe that to find success the athlete must be given a voice in the process. This autonomy is summarized by challenge by choice. The training we do is challenging at many levels. These physical, mental and emotional challenges are fundamental to growth and represent the collaberation between each athlete and the coaches.
3- Patience. I believe that for meaningful growth to occur a deep meaningful experience must exist. Â For that experience to occur both athletes and coaches must be patient. We can focus on long term goals and be committed to not just immediate gains but maximizing long term potential.
4- Leadership. I believe that every member of our program has a role in our success. Leadership is the foundation of that success.
5- Value. I believe that every member of our program has value. That value is the result of each individuals contribution, the community built by our coaches and athletes, and the legacy left by the generations of athletes that have come before.
Dual Meets
These meets take place during the week.
All athletes are expected to attend and race.
All athletes are expected to ride the bus to and from the meet.
Early Release from school. Approx 2:30 pm
Return to school. Approx 6:30 pm
Locations:
Veterans Park (dog park)
Mercer County Park (boathouse)
Washington’s Crossing Park (bear tavern road entrance)
Rosedale ParkÂ
Invitationals
These meets take place during the weekend.
Rosters are reduced for invitational. If your athlete is not traveling to compete at the invitational they are expected to attend practice.Â
Travel roster Will be tentatively announced 1 week prior to the invitational and finalized the Wednesday prior to the event.
All athletes who are traveling to the invitationals are expected to ride the bus to and from the meet.
Departure: Variable based on where the meet is being held, travel time, and race times.
Return: Variable  based on where the meet is being held, travel time, and race times.Â
Locations:
Holmdel park
Thompson Park
Wappingers Falls (NY)
Van Cortland Park (NY)
Post Season
The following meets are part of the post season
Mercer Country Championships
- Who: Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls ( 12 members  of each team travel , top 7 race. If alternates don’t race they will race at jv county championships)
- Where: Washington’s Crossing Park
- When: TBD
Freshman/ JV County Championships
- Who: Any athlete who did not race at the county championship meet
- Where: West Windsor North High School Campus
- When: TBD
Freshman/ JV States
- Who: Any athlete not competing at the sectional championship
- Where: Thompson Park
- When: TBD
Sectional Championship
- Who: Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls (top 7 race, top 12 are named to the roster and will travel )
- Where: Thompson Park
- When: Nov 7th. Boys Race- 10:00 AM Girls Race-10:50 AM
Group Championships (qualification from sectionals)
- Who: Team and individuals that qualify from sectionals
- Where: Holmdel Park
- When: Nov 14th Boys Race-9:30 AM Girls Race- 10:30 AM
Meet of Champions
- Who: Team and individuals that qualify from Group Championship
- Where: Holmdel Park
- When: Nov 21st Boys Race-11:00 AM Girls Race- 11:45 AM