Anonymous
09/10/2025 20:04
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DS is on both his school XC team and a club team (for XC plus indoor/outdoor track). Since he’s still in middle school, it works out fine for now. Almost all of his middle school meets have both schools and club teams (including his). Once he gets to HS I know it will be different, but there are absolutely options for club level XC in HS.
Middle school club exists, because Fcps hasn’t had sports teams until recently. Middle school meets are sponsored by club teams. Club hs running would steal from hs teams so that’s why they wouldn’t want club teams in the school sponsored races.
Distance running is year round. There’s no off season for club like with other sports
You must not have a child in club sports, because they are year round.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:45
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:DS is on both his school XC team and a club team (for XC plus indoor/outdoor track). Since he’s still in middle school, it works out fine for now. Almost all of his middle school meets have both schools and club teams (including his). Once he gets to HS I know it will be different, but there are absolutely options for club level XC in HS.
Middle school club exists, because Fcps hasn’t had sports teams until recently. Middle school meets are sponsored by club teams. Club hs running would steal from hs teams so that’s why they wouldn’t want club teams in the school sponsored races.
Distance running is year round. There’s no off season for club like with other sports
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:24
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:DS is on both his school XC team and a club team (for XC plus indoor/outdoor track). Since he’s still in middle school, it works out fine for now. Almost all of his middle school meets have both schools and club teams (including his). Once he gets to HS I know it will be different, but there are absolutely options for club level uXC in HS.
Which clubs are options for high schoolers? All of people are interested. Share please!
Anonymous
09/10/2025 15:52
Subject: XC group classifications
DS is on both his school XC team and a club team (for XC plus indoor/outdoor track). Since he’s still in middle school, it works out fine for now. Almost all of his middle school meets have both schools and club teams (including his). Once he gets to HS I know it will be different, but there are absolutely options for club level XC in HS.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 15:40
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
For a Xc time to matter, it has to be at a big meet. A club would have to be able to get into those races.
You don't think race organizers wouldn't want a club in their race? That's big bucks for them. They would absolutely want to allow clubs to participate and once those times get registered, then college recruiters have full access. End of story. In the DMV area where people are willing to spend money on their child's sports, this is a good way to go. Too many low end coaches are slipping into the public school system and nothing is holding them to quality standards.
Most races are sponsored by a high schools, so no given the current structure, I don’t think they’d be so eager to let a club team race.
they let the private schools run in these races- why would a club be any different?
Anonymous
09/10/2025 15:20
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
For a Xc time to matter, it has to be at a big meet. A club would have to be able to get into those races.
You don't think race organizers wouldn't want a club in their race? That's big bucks for them. They would absolutely want to allow clubs to participate and once those times get registered, then college recruiters have full access. End of story. In the DMV area where people are willing to spend money on their child's sports, this is a good way to go. Too many low end coaches are slipping into the public school system and nothing is holding them to quality standards.
Most races are sponsored by a high schools, so no given the current structure, I don’t think they’d be so eager to let a club team race.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:53
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
For a Xc time to matter, it has to be at a big meet. A club would have to be able to get into those races.
You don't think race organizers wouldn't want a club in their race? That's big bucks for them. They would absolutely want to allow clubs to participate and once those times get registered, then college recruiters have full access. End of story. In the DMV area where people are willing to spend money on their child's sports, this is a good way to go. Too many low end coaches are slipping into the public school system and nothing is holding them to quality standards.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:50
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
For a Xc time to matter, it has to be at a big meet. A club would have to be able to get into those races.
A lot of those clubs do go to those big national meets. It’s long overdue for TF and XC to be taken over by clubs. Incompetence at the high school coaching level is at an all time high and kids are missing out on real opportunities.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:46
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
For a Xc time to matter, it has to be at a big meet. A club would have to be able to get into those races.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:36
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
As long as the clubs can get a time into milestat, the recruiters won’t care if it is for HS or club.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:21
Subject: XC group classifications
The way the sport is set up, requires students to run for their hs in order to enter many meets. A lot would have to change to make running for a club work.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 14:05
Subject: XC group classifications
the South County coach and owner of MVP league did move to St James. He is more sprint and hurdles focused but I am sure he could improve a mid-distance/distance runner. They got some top FCPS performers to move to St James so it will be interesting to see if they create a club vs just the school option. We would totally do a club that was focused on distance. The only option right now is the HS and I know families are navigating college recruiting and national meets all by themselves so it would be nice to have a club that would support and coach.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 12:07
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:West Springfield has an excellent coach too- three girls in top 10 and they all have made improvements over the years.
I wish our school had a decent coach- not even looking for excellent, just decent who actually coaches.
Sadly most ADs have no clue in what to look for in a XC coach. They are literally hiring warm bodies at this point.
This is why high school sports is getting less relevant. Almost all the other sports (football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, field hockey, etc. etc.) have numerous travel club options that in many cases compete at a higher level than high school. Some complain that these sports are pay to play, but honestly, you get what you pay for! If you have a bad coach or team at a club, you can leave for a better one that fits your child. No such option exists in high school which is why in less than 10 year high school sports will be completely obsolete.
The problem with cross country is that there is not a "club/travel" option for that sport (at least as far as I know). Even Track and Field is starting to get that option. The St. James has amazing training for sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers that surpass most schools and more options are popping up. Thus, some of the best athletes in that sport opt for them. This will only continue to grow. Cross Country needs to get on board, otherwise your child's high school years are predetermined by where you live.
If there are any good cross country or distance running programs for high school level children out there please feel free to post it here. This is the only one I know of in our area.
https://sevenlocksrunningclub.com/
I agree that club TF and XC will soon become the desired destination for serious runners. Didn’t the South County coach start a program at the St. James after winning multiple state championships? SLHS coach should also start a private running club. They can literally make 10 fold in one season alone. I know many great runners who would flock to a good distance program over their mediocre high school programs.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 12:01
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:West Springfield has an excellent coach too- three girls in top 10 and they all have made improvements over the years.
I wish our school had a decent coach- not even looking for excellent, just decent who actually coaches.
Sadly most ADs have no clue in what to look for in a XC coach. They are literally hiring warm bodies at this point.
The AD is the bigger problem at our HS.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 11:59
Subject: XC group classifications
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:West Springfield has an excellent coach too- three girls in top 10 and they all have made improvements over the years.
I wish our school had a decent coach- not even looking for excellent, just decent who actually coaches.
Sadly most ADs have no clue in what to look for in a XC coach. They are literally hiring warm bodies at this point.
This is why high school sports is getting less relevant. Almost all the other sports (football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, field hockey, etc. etc.) have numerous travel club options that in many cases compete at a higher level than high school. Some complain that these sports are pay to play, but honestly, you get what you pay for! If you have a bad coach or team at a club, you can leave for a better one that fits your child. No such option exists in high school which is why in less than 10 year high school sports will be completely obsolete.
The problem with cross country is that there is not a "club/travel" option for that sport (at least as far as I know). Even Track and Field is starting to get that option. The St. James has amazing training for sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers that surpass most schools and more options are popping up. Thus, some of the best athletes in that sport opt for them. This will only continue to grow. Cross Country needs to get on board, otherwise your child's high school years are predetermined by where you live.
If there are any good cross country or distance running programs for high school level children out there please feel free to post it here. This is the only one I know of in our area.
https://sevenlocksrunningclub.com/