To: Section 8AA Cross Country Coaches

October 13, 2014

From: Travis Hochhalter - – Alexandria Area High School Coach - (320) 762-7900 David Hartmann –Activities Director - (320) 762-2142 x 4531

Re: Section 8AA Cross Country Championships October 23, 2014 Arrowwood Resort and Convention Center ---- Alexandria, MN

Meet Information: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Arrowwood Resort and Convention Center - 2100 Arrowwood Lane NW • Alexandria, MN 56308 Bus parking: will be available near the water park. Schedule: 2:00 Teams may arrive no one allowed on course earlier 2:30 Coaches Meeting 3:30 Boys 5000 meter race 4:15 Girls 4000 meter race

Awards to follow on the Arrowwood lawn near the finish line.

Coaches and Athletes Please Note: Timing: Pickle Events will be doing the timing for the section meet. They will be using a chip timing system. Coaches must select your Official Varsity Squad by clicking the “Official Squad” box on the MSHSL administrative roster webpage. Sheree Saxton will download your rosters from the MSHSL website at noon on Monday October 20th. She will send out one excel spreadsheet to the coaches who have until 4PM to make any changes. The document will then be sent to Pickle Timing for meet preparation.

Participating Schools and Lane assignments 1. Sauk Rapids-Rice 2. Alexandria 3. Fergus Falls 4. Brainerd 5. Moorhead 6. Becker 7. St. Cloud Tech 8. Detroit Lakes 9. Rocori 10. Thief River Falls 11. Sartell 12. Little Falls 13. St. Cloud Apollo 14. Bemidji 15. Willmar 16. Monticello 1/2 Game committee – Detroit Lakes (2013 Host), Alexandria (2014), Monticello (2015)

Awards—Advancement to State Team: The first and second place teams Individuals: The first 8 individual finishers who are not members of the 1st and 2nd place teams. Section Awards: Trophies to 1st and 2nd place teams and individuals 1st - 8th place

Rules and Policies: Coaches are expected to review the 2014-15 Cross Country Policies in the MSHSL website.

NFHS Track and Field/Cross Country Competitors Uniform ~ Rule 4 Sect. 3, Art.3

Article 3-Jewelry shall not be worn by competitors-Minnesota Supplement

The National Federation Track and Field Rules book speaks to the wearing of jewelry by competitors. RULE 4-SECTION 3-ART 3 . . . Jewelry shall not be worn by competitors. a. Medical alert medals are not considered jewelry. The alert should be visible. When the medal is attached: 1. to a bracelet made of metal or an unyielding material, it shall be taped to the body. 2. to a bracelet made of a pliable material, it is not required to be taped to the body. 3. to a necklace, it shall be taped to the body. b. Religious medals are not considered jewelry and must be worn under the uniform and taped to the body. c. A watch may be worn around the wrist. d. Unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, may be worn to control a competitor’s hair. e. MINNESOTA PENALTY: The competitor shall be required to remove all jewelry prior to competition. If the athlete refuses to remove their jewelry they will not be allowed to compete. If an athlete is not asked to remove their jewelry and is found to have jewelry on at the conclusion of a race no penalty will be applied. No reports will be filed. NOTE: The ultimate responsibility to have each competitor compliant with uniform and jewelry rules is with the coach.

Cross Country Uniform Rule Emphasis The Cross Country uniform rule is primary for the management/administration of the meet and has nothing to do with an athlete’s performance. The rule aides the meet management by requiring school teams to dress in like uniforms (consistent in appearance) so that they are easily identifiable when on the course and in the finish area.