Cross Country

Welcome to St. Johns Middle School Cross Country! We are looking forward to picking up where we left off last year and continue with the success you had as individuals and as a team. If you are new, we look forward to your next years of running and racing and being part of our team.

Coaches

• Coach McCastle:  mccastlen@sjredwings.org 

• Coach Trevino:  trevinoca@sjredwings.org

Important Information

• RACES START AT 5:00 - BOYS FIRST AND GIRLS EVENT FOLLOWS

• Membership on the cross country team is open to any 6th, 7th and 8th grade student with the desire to work hard and the willingness to compete. 

• All Athletes must have a current physical on file to practice.

• All Athletes must be registered in Big Teams 
  
  

2024 Meet Schedule

• Wednesday 9/4/24 21st Annual Marauder Invite @ Uncle John's Cider Mill - Boys run at 4:20 pm, Girls run at 4:40pm

• Monday 9/09/24 - Invite @ Haslett (Holt, East Lansing, Lansing Catholic)

• Monday 09/16/24 - Quad Home vs. Waverly, Eaton Rapids & Charlotte

• Monday 9/23/24 - @ Ionia vs. Portland, Waverly & Haslett 

• Wednesday 9/25/24 - Apples to Apples Invite at Uncle John's Cider Mill

• Monday 09/30/24 - Quad HOME vs. Grand Ledge, Mason, Ionia & Olivet

• Wednesday 10/9/24 - Grand Ledge Invite, Fitzgerald Park:  Top 10 Boys run at 4:00pm, Top 10 Girls run at 4:25pm. Boys open at 4:55pm, Girls open at 5:30pm

• Monday 10/14/24 - Greater Lansing Junior Cross Country Championship at DeWitt (HS XC Course)  - Top 10 Boys run at 4:00pm, Top 10 Girls at 4:30pm. Boys open at 5:00pm, Girls open at 5:30pm.    DeWitt HS asks that spectators do not arrive prior to 2:45pm to assist with traffic flow during their dismissal time.  

• Tuesday 10/22/24 - MHSAA Middle School Regional Meet @ Stockbridge                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         To: St. Johns Middle School Cross Country Team Members
  From: Coach McCastle
  Re: 2024 Cross Country Season Information
  Date: June, 2024
  
  
  Hello Athletes and Parents/Guardians,
  
  I'm sure you are looking forward to a fun-filled summer! Your coaches are too! Here is some important information.
  
  Important Dates
  Two, pre-season, unoffical cross country practices are scheduled August 1st, and 8th, 2024.  These Thursday evening sessions will run one hour, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Our season officially begins with a practice Monday, August 19th, 2024, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., followed by a Parent/Student-Athlete meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School auditorium or outside the gym entrance.  At this meeting, season schedules and other important information will be provided.  Any questions that you or your parents have will be answered by coach McCastle or Coach Trevino at this meeting.
  
  
  All cross country practices will start outside the gym entrance.  Unless otherwise indicated, standard practices during the school week will run from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. daily.  You should be building up to running 20-25 minutes (2-3 miles) without stopping, five days a week this summer.   If you are able to build up to running 25-30 minutes (3-4 miles) at each workout, that would be great!
  
  
  A new pair of running shoes is essential for cross country training and competition.  Please do not wear basketball shoes or old running shoes for training.  Improper or broken-down footwear can impair foot health and result in injury.
  
  Please Note:
  St. Johns Public Schools is requiring each student-athlete to pay an annual $110.00 Athletic Participation Fee. Students who receive free and reduced lunch will pay a $25.00 one-time fee. This fee will be due by the end of the first week of cross country practice on Thursday, August 22nd 2024.
  
  Students must also be registered in BIG TEAMS via our school website, and have a current year (after 4/15/24) Physical submitted in BIG TEAMS.
  
  
  We are looking forward to a fun and competitve season!  Enjoy your summer and hope to see you at the first, unofficial practice on Thursday, August 1st  at 6:00 p.m. outside the gym entrance.
  
  Contact Information
  Nicki McCastle, SJMS Girls’ & Boys’ Head Cross Country Coach: Cell Phone (517) 490-8257 mccastlen@sjredwings.org
  Case Trevino, SJMS Girls’ & Boys’ Assistant Cross Country Coach: Cell Phone (517) 528-4696 trevinoca@sjredwings.org