Alonso Track and Field/Cross Country

Schedule Updates. As expected, there have been some new developments and schedule issues that have come into play over the last few days. Please carefully read the following updates/changes and potential changes to our season. They have been placed in chronological order just to make things easier.

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Tues, Sept 22 @ Leto: This meet is still on and will be for our JV squad and selected runners. the varsity runners will not be participating in the meet. However, they are expected to be there since our "initial" plan is to honor our seniors at this event. We have a backup date on deck in case this doesn't work out. Athletes are to meet us at Leto for 4:30 pm. Here are the runners scheduled to compete at Leto: Girls (Makenna Howell, Natalee Burdette, Kyra Howe, Sofia Theado, Miriam Elmassry, Abby Southern, Amy Eichler, Nicole Martochio, Ann Pham); Boys (Patrick Miller, Carson Vega, Zack Kremkau, Andrew Buitrago, Connor Caravella). 

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Friday/Sat (Sept 25th, 26th): The Flrunners Invitational at Holloway Park in Lakeland is also this week, but for our varsity runners only. Now, final seeding will be announced during the week and it will determine if we run on Friday @ 4:30 pm or Saturday at 7:30 am. If we are placed in the Friday event, we have asked for school business for the 8 boys (Raekwon, Kevin, Ryan, Derek, Andrew, Cameron, Connor M, Colin) and 6 girls (Tabby, Skyler, Nathalia, Carly, Ella and Cheyenne) entered in the race. You will be dismissed at the end of 5th and will transport on your own to Lakeland. Be aware of traffic situations and car pooling demands. Get your rides lined up NOW. If we are placed in the Saturday race (there are two different start times), then it will be the regular Saturday meet routine. We will be without a couple people taking SAT. Holloway park requires ALL athletes sign a waiver. That waiver has been emailed to your parents, but is also available on flrunners.com. Get it signed and returned to me no later than Wednesday Sept. 23.

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WHI (Tues Sept 29): Under the current circumstances, it is unlikely we will be running the West Hillsborough Invitational at Sickles High School. We are the host team, and are awaiting the County decision on how best to move forward. We may move the meet to Alonso - which would make it more 60-40 pavement/grass - not an ideal situation. An actual decision on that will be made by the County this week. Our plan is to run the race. Both varsity and JVs will run.

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Pre State (Oct.3, @ FSU): The Montague Drivers were scheduled to run at FSU in the club race, but that appears to be a no go. Leon County is requiring that all teams, coaches and participating team adults take a Covid test PRIOR to arriving at the park. They have to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test in order to compete. That, of course, is a logistical nightmare. As a result, pending any last minute reprieve, we will not be traveling to Tally for Pre State. Our focus will be to train hard and return to Tallahassee for the State Finals.

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New Schedule:

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Sept 12 - North Port Invitational @ North Port High School, 7 am

Sept 19 - Mitchel Invitational @ Starkey Park, 7 am

Sept. 22 - Leto Invite @ Leto HS, 5 pm

Sept. 25-26 - FlRunners Invite @ Holloway Prk, TBA

Sept. 29 - West Hillsborough Invite @ Sickles, 5 pm

Oct 3 - FSU PreState @ FSU, TBA

Oct. 5-10 - Open Date

Oct 15 - County Championships @ Mary Help, 5 pm

Oct. 20 - Spaghetti Run @ Alonso (on track), 5 pm

Oct. 22 - Fresh/Soph @ Mary Help, 5 pm

Oct. 26-30 - Districts (TBA)

Nov. 2- 7- Regionals @ Lake Region High School, (TBA)

Nov 13-14 - State Finals, Tallahassee.

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Official Start: Aug 24 marks the first official day of our cross country season, and our practices are no longer voluntary. We expect athletes to be present, unless they are sick, or engaged in the participation of another Alonso sport. Remember, this is Cross Country season.

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Race Day Process: On an average, a cross country meet is divided into four races - girls varsity; boys varsity; girls JV; boys JV. Occasionally, the JV races are combined. It is the wish of the program that all Ravens get into one of those four races. However, please keep in mind, the coaching staff cannot jeopardize the safety of an athlete by running that athlete in a 3.1 mile race until the athlete is capable of doing so safely. It is an issue of safety. You have to be able to run two miles, before we put you in a three mile race.  

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Morning practices: The ability to practice in the morning will likely come to an end after the "Smart Start" online week. The County has not opened the showers, and we don't need any funky kids in school all day. Now, we may make some accommodations to the upper classmen who have vehicles and can leave after practice and get to back to school on time. But, you can expect most practices to be around 6 pm.  

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Minimum Meet Rule: The FHSAA has waived the minimum meet requirement rule for the 2020 season. Still is isn't wise of competitively advantageous to miss meets. Nothing is better than competition experience. The more races you have under your belt, the stronger you are coming down the stretch.

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Transportation: Obviously, we do not get buses for the Invitationals. At this point, parents please recognize that you will have to provide transportation for your child. If you feel comfortable car pooling, then that will help. But, if you don't due to Covid considerations, we completely understand.

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FlRunners over two days: This is one of the bigger races of the season, but is done on a seeded basis. When we run depends on our performances prior. So, we could run on the Friday or the Saturday, or have teams divided. It's in Lakeland so that's not too bad.

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Pre-State: the Pre-State meet at FSU will be an invitational only meet for our top runners. Not all members of the team will make the trip to Tally. Your parents will be informed about the arrangements needed/hotel/transportation. Remember, we will be traveling up on Friday, staying the night, and then racing on Saturday and then heading home. We will discuss Vodi-19 protocols with the parents.

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Open Date: Note, there is an open date in early October. This is a training week, but could be used as a potential makeup meet opportunity if needed.

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Team fees: Our $75 team fee is now due by Friday Aug. 28th. The fee covers your entries for the season, your drinks and snacks at the meet, team shirt and awards at the end of the season. Travel expenses, hotels, etc... are independent and subject only to those who are on the travel squad for that particular race.

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Mask rules: The Covid-19 mask protocols apply to the student athletes. Unless you want to be sent home by the administration, wear your masks in your cars when you arrive on campus. Wear your masks before engaging in athletic performance, and immediately after engaging in athletic performance. Please, attach your masks to your water bottles. There have been several complaints about athletes defying the rules "when not in direct athletic performance."

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Covid-19 Protocols: Moving forward, here are some team guidelines.

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1. Be aware the virus spreads through casual contact, close proximity, expelled droplets, etc. So, create a six-foot buffer between yourself and those around you.

2. Think about numbers, our group is relatively small, and has been together for most of the summer, but if you find yourself in gatherings larger than 20 or so, step away.

3. The minute you are not feeling well, or suspect you are off your game, isolate yourself from your teammates, notify your parents, and then Coach Mills, immediately. The identity of a sick student-athlete is confidential, but it is the responsible thing to do to prevent outbreak.

4. Do everything in your power to avoid large scale ride sharing in cars, at least until this calms down some.

5. Parents are not allowed to stay on campus during workouts. Please, drop the student athlete off and leave campus. This is a contamination protocol coming from the County, not Alonso.

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