The Creekside Boys Cross Country team is dedicated to creating an atmosphere that makes everyone feel safe, accepted, and appreciated. All teammates treat each other like family and build each other up so everyone can be successful on the team and in life. The basis of this atmosphere is trust and accountability – Trust in and accountability to: Coaches, team and self. The team comes first, and no individual can fully succeed without the support of the team. Each runner pushes the runner in front of them to be best they can.
We aspire to forge each athlete into a Champion – in Body, Mind and Heart. The coaches determine how to train, and the athletes execute that training to get their Body to the start line in proper condition. The coach teaches the athlete how to run, race, and strategize for competitions. The athletes are responsible for keeping their Mind in the workout and races to execute the proper approach and strategy. The coach makes all attempts to motivate the team and the athlete as an individual, but a coach can never teach “heart”. The athlete is responsible to put their Heart into the race, and there will come a time when only heart can make the difference.
Most importantly, we are a humble family. We win with pride and lose with dignity. We respect our school, our teachers, our friends, ourselves, members of all other teams, and the sport of Cross Country.
Team Expectations
- The team always comes first. No one’s personal goals come before the team’s goals.
- Trust. Trust your teammates, your coaches, and the training programs.
- Be present and be on time. I know that everyone is late once and a while but being constantly late shows a lack of respect for your teammates, yourself, your team, and your coaches.
- Runners who miss practice during the season without a valid excuse will be subject to suspension from a meet or other appropriate consequences. I expect runners to inform me if they will be absent from practice. Doctor’s appt., dentist trips, etc. are understandable and expected but can be avoided. Please plan your appointments on days that we do not have afternoon practice. Proper communication with the coaches will eliminate any possible problems.
- Conduct yourselves as ladies and gentlemen, in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in all other aspects of your life. Represent your family, Creekside High School, and your teammates in a positive manner at all times.
- Practice won’t be canceled because of bad weather. We can always do something that can make us better athletes and runners.
- Bring water and a watch to practice each day!!!
- No flip flops or backless shoes will be worn to school, meets, or any team gathering.
Lettering Criteria
- Run faster than 18:00 on a legitimate 5K Cross Country course
- Run on 3 varsity races during the season
- Be a member of a district, regional, or state team
- Coaches Choice. Coach always has the last decision. If someone works hard everyday, does all that is asked, and is dependable, this athlete can earn a letter.
Nutrition
- Runners need to drink plenty of water. Living in Florida there is no way around it. I recommend all athletes drink at least six to eight 16 oz bottles of water each day. Notice that this amount is double the average person. Gatorade is great for after workouts, but water is better before and during workouts. Bring a water bottle to school and practice every day.
- Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it actually pulls water out of your system. When we drink a 12 oz Coke, we have to drink 24ozs of water to get to our desirable level of hydration. Caffeine and carbonation should not be consumed by serious Cross Country runners.
- Runners should be eating a diet rich in carbohydrates (for energy), protein (for muscle development), calcium (for bone strength), and iron (for oxygen transport). Oxygen is the most important food for our working muscles. There is very little nutritional value in junk food. Also, don’t worry about counting calories; our bodies are magnificent machines that will burn anything if the furnace is hot enough.
2015 and 2016 State Champs! 
