First Day of Practice

Now that summer running club has ended, and August is on our doorstep, we are heading into the non-contact period mandated by the IHSA for coaches. We cannot have any contact with the kids (i.e., club or formal practices) until formal practices begin August 13.

Before that, though, we'd like to take this opportunity to commend everyone who came out for summer running this summer, whether you are in high school or junior high! It was a great pleasure to be around all of you, and you all did a great job running. You all improved a ton, and you've all set yourselves up for success this cross country season.

We've got some very high goals for our program this season, and the journey to Detweiller Park for the State Meet has only just begun. But the groundwork has been laid. Again, great job this summer. All of the coaches are very pleased with the turnout we had this summer!

As a reminder now that summer running has ended, all athletes are expected to continue running on their own, or with their teammates. Don't let what you've built up this summer go to waste before the season starts!

With this in mind, now seems like the perfect time to detail what is expected from each athlete on the first day of practice.

1. An UP-TO-DATE physical.

Each athlete is expected to have an up-to-date physical on file. This physical can be conducted in one of three ways:

1. Your family's physician can conduct your physical. Have them give you a copy, which you can then submit to the school.
2. On August 4, 2014, at 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm, there will be doctors available to conduct sport physicals at Westmont High School. There is a $20 fee.
3. Go to Walgreen's or a similar location that offers sport physicals. The cost for these physicals is around $30, and this will also satisfy the requirement.

For the last two options, you will need the IHSA's sport physical form, along with a parent signature. You can download and print copies of the IHSA's sport physical form by clicking on this link. This is in a .pdf form.

All freshmen are required to get a full physical before they enter high school. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors: Make sure your physicals are up-to-date.

This should be the only form that you will need to have a paper copy of, unless you also need to submit an asthma form (see below).

2. Permission card, Concussion form, and Athletico form.

To do this, you need to fill out the ONLINE REGISTRATION at the High School's athletics website.

Please access the high school's athletics website by clicking on this link. To directly access the registration page, please click on this link. If you have not already registered, you may need to create a new account. This is a new feature the high school is using this year.

When you complete the online registration, you will have "signed off" electronically on the three forms listed in bold: the permission card, concussion form, and the Athletico form.

If you are having problems with the online registration, please contact Mrs. Bonnie Wanner at the high school.

3. Asthma form (if necessary)

If you have asthma and require medication that you can self-administer to yourself, you'll need to fill out this form as well and submit it to us. You can do so by downloading and printing a copy of this form by clicking on this link. You will need to bring this form with you to your physician to have them sign off on it, as well as have your parents sign off on it.

If you have submitted this form already to the school, it is not required.

4. Pay your athletic fee.

The athletic fee is $90 and should be paid to Westmont High School. If you need assistance in paying the athletic fee, contact the High School.

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Practice begins on Wednesday, August 13 at 8:00 am for all athletes. We will meet at the entrance to the high school's athletic complex, right by the new "Sentinel Territory" signage donated by the Athletic Boosters Club. Practice will last until approximately 11:00 am. Varsity runners are expected to attend an afternoon practice from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

PRACTICE IS NEVER CANCELLED UNLESS A COACH TELLS YOU DIRECTLY!!!

The 2014-15 school year begins on Wednesday, August 20. Starting on August 18, practices will switch to 3:00 pm for all runners and will run until 6:00 pm. Varsity runners will be expected to attend morning practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 6:30 am, unless otherwise announced.

Most Saturdays, we will have an invitational meet. During the season, there are four Saturdays that we will not have an invitational meet. They are as follows:

1. August 16
2. August 23
3. August 30
4. October 11

On these four Saturdays, all athletes are expected to attend practice from 8 am until 11 am.

Our first meet is on Tuesday, September 2nd. It'll be here before you know it!
We are looking forward to a great 2014-15 season!

Coach Wolf
Coach Marose
Coach Dunne
Coach Jurkowski
Coach Free