Track News for the Week of March 6th

War Path Recap
I hope everyone had fun on Saturday. We got a little wet, but then again nobody got heatstroke--there's always an upside. We'll try to get in more relay practice and field event practice this week so that athletes are more comfortable with those events for our next meet.

Our regular meets are conducted much the same way, but results are recorded on paper, typed into the computer afterward, and then posted online. The paper feathers are a War Path exclusive.

Uniform Pickup

Uniform shirts and team sweatshirts will be handed out at practice Tuesday and Thursday. Look for a table at the bottom of the stairs from the parking lot. They will also be available at the meet on Saturday, starting at 8am. 

We'll hand out the ordered sizes first, and then we can make swaps for unworn items (trying it on is fine.) Parish assignments are fixed, so we can't swap one parish's shirt for a different one.

Why is our shirt red/yellow/blue? Shouldn't it be blue/red/yellow?

Our team is technically three teams: Christ the King, St. Catherine, and St. Stephen. Parish assignments are done according to a sacred trinity of CYO rules:

1. Athlete's school, if they attend the parish school, otherwise
2. Athlete's parish, if they attend religious ed/faith formation classes, otherwise
3. Athlete's home address

You let me know if your athlete fell under rule #1 or #2 on your registration forms. Those who aren't attending school or RE at a parish are assigned by rule #3.

It is entirely possible for public school classmates to run for different parishes, solely based on geography.  

Nothing has changed. We are still one team made of three parishes: we practice and hold meets together. Only at the end-of-season championships does it matter, and only then when we're forming relay teams.

Meet on Saturday, March 12, Dublin High School

• Volunteers, athletes, coaches arrive: 8:00am
• First event starts: 8:30am
• Estimated finish:  1:00pm

Volunteers are committed for the entire meet, but athletes can come for just the first half or just the 2nd half in the case of schedule conflicts. Just let your primary coach know when that's the case.

Note that whereas dropping off athletes for practice is perfectly acceptable, for meets that's not the case. It is impossible for coaches to keep track of all the athletes at a meet and so parents should plan to stay and provide a "home base" in the stands for their kids. Food and drink other than water should remain in the stands. At some meets, athletes and coaches are also expected to stay in the stands except for athletes whose events have been called. In any case, the team will drop bags and extra clothes in one area on the field or in the stands and athletes should be encouraged to hang out there when not competing so it is easier for coaches to find them when events are called or relays need to be formed.

Looking ahead to next season, and beyond

I know we've barely begun, but we're already looking ahead to 2017. If your athlete likes CYO track and you enjoy running, please consider joining up as an assistant coach next season.

Most coaches follow their own kids through CYO, and move on to greener pastures after eighth grade. Our three parishes have been very lucky to have parents willing to volunteer their time as coaches, but we can only continue as long as we keep bringing in new ones to help out. A good loud mom/dad voice is a benefit, as are senses of humor and perspective.

Team coordinators also follow their kids through CYO, and next season will be my last. Our team needs someone to step up as coordinator in the 2017 season while I'm around to smooth the transition (assuming I've learned something about the role by the end of the season).

Please think about it!