What is cross country?
Cross country is a team sport that tallies each teams’ first five runners according to their finishing place in a 2-3 mile race. Low score wins. The race course is run over a variety of surfaces such as dirt, grass, and asphalt and usually includes some hills.
Who should join cross country?
Everyone can join! The average freshman boy has a mile time between 5:45-7:15 minutes. The average freshman girl has a mile time between 6:30-8 minutes. All levels and abilities are welcome.
Is it too late to join?
No. It is never too late to join. New runners will be signing up for cross country for the first few weeks of school.
How do I join?
1. Register and pay the sports contribution online at granadahigh.com.
2. Get a physical form from the school office and see a doctor. This form must be completed each school year. You may not participate until a physical form is on file with the athletic director. Make a copy of your physical in case it is misplaced by Granada staff.
3. Complete an emergency form and return it to your coach.
How far do cross country athletes run?
First year runners run about 2-4 miles a day about 5-6 days per week. Mileage increases or decreases depending upon the individual needs of each athlete.
What if I have a conflict with practice or a race?
No problem. Just let the coach know your scheduling issues ahead of time.
When, where, and how long is practice?
Summer running club will begin on June 22, 2009. Monday, Wednesday and Friday we will meet at 8:30am at Independence Park/Kellman Fields. Tuesday and Thursday we will meet at Granada’s track at 8:30am.
Official practice begins August 17, 2009. For runners enrolled in the athletics class practice is from 1:55-4:15pm M, T, T, F at Granada’s track. For runners NOT enrolled in the athletics class practice is from 3:15-5:15pm M, T, T, F at Granada’s track. Wednesday practice for everyone is from 3:15-5:15pm at Independence Park/Kellman Fields. Saturday practice is at 8:30am at Independence Park/Kellman Fields or at Granada’s track. Ask coach for more details.
Team Philosophy
Our first goal is to have FUN! How do runners have fun? Team meals, positive attitudes, team movie night, pizza night, overnight trips to meets, frozen-yogurt night, friendships, camping trip, being super fit, and more…
Our second goal is to succeed as a team. This is achieved when every team member is accountable and positive every day, which demonstrates our commitment and dedication to each other.
Our third goal is to succeed on a personal level. This is achieved by doing the best with what you got each day. Runners that develop this type of thinking have no limits for what they can achieve.
Accolades
Varsity Girls - 2008 - finished with the highest team GPA in the North Coast Section with a 3.64. They placed 4th in the NCS Championship Meet and 5th in the EBAL Championship. Senior Hayley Swanson qualified for the State Championship Meet. - 2007 - placed 3rd in the NCS and won their second consecutive EBAL Championship. Sophomore Lara Jansen qualified for the State meet. - 2006 - placed 3rd in the NCS, earned NCS GPA Award and won their first EBAL Championship. Senior Rebecca Paddack qualified for the State meet.
Varsity Boys - 2008 - finished with the second highest team GPA in the NCS with a 3.35. They placed 4th in the NCS Championship Meet and 4th in the EBAL Championship with an 11-3 record. Senior Drew Callen and Junior Alex Summers qualified for the State Championship Meet. - 2007 - They placed 3rd in the NCS, earned NCS GPA Award, and finished 3rd in EBAL. - 2006 - They placed 7th in the NCS and 4th in EBAL. Senior Doug Whichard qualified for the State meet.
Coaches
Head Coach: Noel Mattern - Coach Mattern competed in cross country and track for UC Davis. This is his 7th year of coaching at Granada and 4th year as Head Coach.
Assistant Coach: Yvonne Herbeck - Coach Herbeck graduated from the University of Michigan. She is a life long runner and this is her 2nd year of coaching at Granada.
Assistant Coach: Craig Whichard - Coach Whichard competed in cross country and track for Princeton University. This is his 2nd year of coaching at Granada.
Assistant Coach: Sarah Mattern - Coach Mattern was a two-time All-American cross country runner and competed in track for UC Davis. This is her 2nd year of coaching at Granada.
