What’s a competitive time in cross country?

[Anonymous]

For a sophomore boy on JV in this area?

[Anonymous]

How do you define competitive?

Here’s the results of Monroe Parker (cross country meet at beginning of season in northern Virginia with about 20th schools). There is a freshman/sophomore section so you can see the 3 mile time for a bunch of freshman and sophomore boys. https://va.milesplit.com/meets/442399-monroe-parker-invitational-2021/results/760988#.YvPuahYpC_Y

[Anonymous]

Also, times can vary greatly depending on the course that is run. So a competitive time is a tough thing to say for sure.

[Anonymous]

Girls or Boys? For girls, I would think 29 minutes for a 5K would get said kid on a team in the DMV with not too much hill. You are looking at scholarship money for a girl at under 20 minutes for same distance. Around 17 minutes seemed to be magic number.

[Anonymous]

For a boy, I'd say 2 miles under 11 minutes and a 5k under 18 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, times can vary greatly depending on the course that is run. So a competitive time is a tough thing to say for sure.

+1. What is your kid's mile time on a track? DC States has a varsity and jv event. You can look up the 2021 meet on milesplit. Most of the kids are from privates, but it gives you a general idea. Landon and Georgetown Prep have invitationals with a lot of area representation from publics and privates. You can google those meets and find times. My kid attends a DC private and all the varsity runners can run a mile under 6 minutes. The top JV kids hover right around a 6 minute mile. In this area Cross Country is a no cut sport at most schools. I wouldn't worry about if your kid is "competitive". There is a very wide range at these meets.

[Anonymous]

cross-country typically has no cuts and i think its great if lots of kids of varying abilities participate. if a sophomore boy just keeps showing up, he should usually be able to improve substantially.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I was just trying to get an idea of what was expected and I had no idea where to look. I wanted to see what his chances were of actually getting to race vs just making the team.

[Anonymous]

His time on the field will likely be significantly slower than on a track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. I was just trying to get an idea of what was expected and I had no idea where to look. I wanted to see what his chances were of actually getting to race vs just making the team.

If you share the school, someone may have some personal experience. In my experience for local meets there are multiple events and they let everyone run. It's possible your kid's school might participate in travel meets where they only take varsity or varsity and some of the better jv kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. I was just trying to get an idea of what was expected and I had no idea where to look. I wanted to see what his chances were of actually getting to race vs just making the team.

Tell us the HS and I can help you if NOVA.

If you are very interested, get a subscription to Milesplit and search for your son’s high school.

[Anonymous]

As stated, cross country times really vary, but for competitive JV he should be floating with a sub 20 minute 5k. Obviously not world class speed, but decent starting block for a runner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a boy, I'd say 2 miles under 11 minutes and a 5k under 18 minutes.

Wait. What? That a 5:30 mile. I can't imagine your average JV sophomore is running that fast. Or maybe so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. I was just trying to get an idea of what was expected and I had no idea where to look. I wanted to see what his chances were of actually getting to race vs just making the team.

Don't worry too much about this. A major goal of XC is growth over time. As long as kids put in the work, almost everyone improves significantly. (And the biggest gains are generally among the beginners.) That's why it's so rewarding.

There are usually only 7 varsity slots (plus a couple of reserves in case of injury). Most invitationals also have JV heats. Most dual meets, everyone runs at the same time, so it doesn't really matter whether your kid is varsity or JV. If it's his first year, some meets have "novice" heats, too. It's all good experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. I was just trying to get an idea of what was expected and I had no idea where to look. I wanted to see what his chances were of actually getting to race vs just making the team.

Don't worry too much about this. A major goal of XC is growth over time. As long as kids put in the work, almost everyone improves significantly. (And the biggest gains are generally among the beginners.) That's why it's so rewarding.

There are usually only 7 varsity slots (plus a couple of reserves in case of injury). Most invitationals also have JV heats. Most dual meets, everyone runs at the same time, so it doesn't really matter whether your kid is varsity or JV. If it's his first year, some meets have "novice" heats, too. It's all good experience.

Thank you! That’s what I told him-put in the work and you’ll see results. I’m happy that there is a chance he’ll
race because I think it will be motivating.