Duluth East Cross Country

Housekeeping:  Congrats to all the competitors this weekend!  Thanks for your patience with the weather and following weather emergency procedures.  There are a lot of left over lost and found clothing/shoes.  Please claim at practice Monday!  Thanks to those that donated food items, home baked goods, and were there to support the runners this weekend.  When packing for a meet- please only bring meet appropriate items as space is often limited on buses and should be brought as needed items.  We do not need costumes as this distracts our overall focus.  This week is homecoming and you need to still attend practices, please remember your commitment to the team over social activities that can be enjoyed after our practices.

MONDAY- Practice at 3:40-5:30pm  Baseball field at East

TUESDAY-Practice at 3:40-5:30pm  Baseball field at East

WEDNESDAY- PICTURE DAT 3:40PM  meet at baseball field WEAR UNIFORMTOP AND RACE BOTTOMS   Picture envelops will be handed out at practice.  

There will be the optional 6:30AM practice- remember to please come after school for pictures!

THURSDAY-Meet in Hibbing at Hibbing Municipal Golf Course meet starts at 4:00pm.  We will stop for dinner in Hibbing on return.  High school excused at 1:15pm Bus leaves at 1:30.  Middle schoolers out at 1:00p, bus will pick you up at 1:15pm

Race Info:

* Girls Varsity/JV 4:00
* Boys Varsity/JV 4:30
* Girls Jr. High (Grades 7-9) 5:00
* Boys Jr. High (Grades 7-9) 5:30

Results on www.raceberryjam.com

FRIDAY- optional 6:30 AM practice OR 3:40pm  OR Saturday 9:00AM.  You must choose 1 of those 3 options and attend that practice.  Look at your schedule in advance and choose your option.  This is to allow for you to enjoy school sponsored activities, weekend plans, appointments or conflicts without penalty.  IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND one of these weekend options you have chosen to forfeit the next race.

Housekeeping: Full week ahead of practice- daily participation important.  Please schedule around the set practice times.  We are starting to see consistency and improvements with our student athletes that are attending regularly.  The meet at Milaca is an exciting and overwhelming day.  If you are able to send a package of snacks/drinks/fruit or items for the team that is greatly appreciated.  You do not need to bring 100 of something, if many people contribute a box or container of an item we will have a great variety and time to enjoy camp.  Thanks in advance for your donations.  JUST BRING WITH YOUR ATHLETE TO THE BUS SATURDAY.  Congrats to those families that participated over the weekend in the many cross training or races in the area!  GREAT PERFORMANCES at Eveleth meet- Varsity Girls 2nd place!  Varsity Boys 3rd place finish.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16– practice 3:40-5:30pm  meet at baseball field

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17-practice 3:40-5:30pm meet at baseball field

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18-practice 6:30 AM OR 3:40-5:30pm AM practice meet in lobby, after school at baseball field.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19- practice at 3:40-5:30pm meet at baseball field

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20-practice 6:30 am OR 3:40-5:00PM  AM practice meet in lobby PM practice meet at baseball field

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21 MILACA MEGA MEET!!!!!!  Bus loads at East High School 6:15AM  LEAVES at 6:30AM.  Estimated time of return is 6:30Pm.  WE WILL STOP IN HINCKLEY FOR DINNER.  We will not wait if you are late!  IF leaving from the meet must have a travel release upon loading for meet.  Any donation food/drink items welcome.  Student-athletes will run their age divisions, except for Varsity squads.  IMPORTANT MEET INFORMATION found at www.gopherstateevents.com  Results, maps, parking, fees, clothing for sale, concession information all online.  Please visit this website prior to attending the meet.  Over 150 schools compete and traffic is confusing.  PLAN AHEAD.  Races begin every 15 minutes, and coaches will be on the course, getting students to starting line, and hopefully catching the finishes.  KNOW WHAT RACE YOU ARE IN (will be announced at practice Monday). Schedule will be posted at team CAMP, warm up and be with others in your race!

VARSITY IS IN DIVISION 1 for classes.  Lane assignments are different for different races.  PAY ATTENTION.

Sunday is a recovery day.  Enjoy the fall like season and time with family.

Housekeeping: Please check lost and found and your piles of clothing to make sure you have yours and not someone else, lots of clothing and jackets are similar.

MONDAY, September 9- practice 3:40-5:30pm East baseball field

TUESDAY, September 10 MIDDLE SCHOOL MEET  GRADES 7-9- bus will pick up at middle school at 2:30pm.  ONE WAY BUS ONLY.  Please plan to pick up your child(ren) from HERMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.  Races start at 4:00PM.   7th grade girls, 7th grade boys, 8/9th grade girls followed by 8/9th grade boys.  

ALL OTHERS practice as normal!  meet at East Baseball field at 3:40PM-5:30PM

WEDNESDAY, Septmerber 11- practice 3:40-5:00PM day before a meet.  At East baseball field OPTIONAL 6:30AM practice for those with conflicts or prefer to have longer recovery time before a meet, or to make up a missed practice.

THURSDAY, September 12 MEET IN EVELETH!  Excused at 1:15PM Meet starts at 4:05PM  Eveleth Municipal Golf Course on HWY 53.  WE DON NOT STOP ON WAY BACK FOR FOOD AS THERE IS NO ACCOMMODATING PLACES!  There is a concessions stand with food to purchase.  Pack enough for snacks/meal.  Estimated time of return is 7:30PM

4:05 p.m. – Start of Girls Varsity and JV “AA” Race

5:10 p.m. – Start of Boys Varsity and JV “AA” Race

5:40 p.m. – Start of Girls and Boys Junior High Race

6:15 p.m. – Awards Presentation for Varsity Races

Distances: Junior High 2400 meters (1.5 miles)

Girls Varsity 5000 meters (3.1 miles)

Boys Varsity 5000 meters (3.1 miles)

Awards: Junior High – Top 50 ribbons for boys, Top 50 ribbons for girls

Girls Varsity – Top 15 medals

Boys Varsity – Top 15 medals

Team trophy for 1st and 2nd Place Varsity teams, both boys and girls.

FRIDAY, September 13  Practice 3:40-5:30PM  East baseball field.  OPTIONAL 6:30AM practice  for those with conflicts or prefer mornings, make up missed practice.

Saturday- Sunday-  Long run on own- minimum 60 minutes, can be as long as 90 minutes.  Establish this base for endurance in the early part of the season.  Record/journal your run.

No meet due to wet course conditions.   There will be an announcement about practice instead by 2:30PM.  Please check outside Athletic office for updates, Ms. Peller’s classroom 2020 for any word on practice.

PRACTICE TODAY AFTER SCHOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy start of the school year!!!!!!

Housekeeping items: 1) Still need several student-athletes to pay online fees or complete online eligibility forms. 2) With the start of school we now practice after school each day. 3) Students will need a lock for the locker room for daily practice-please lock up your belongings as it is the same locker room used all day for physical education classes as well.

MONDAY SEPT. 2   CHESTER BOWL workout  5:00PM  Meet in back field. Workout should be completed by 6:00PM.  We know families may have been out of town but in exchange for Friday off last week we run Monday evening. Plus it keeps us on schedule with our training plan and may help curb those nerves before school starts!

TUESDAY SEPT. 3-  East high school Baseball field practice at 3:40-5:30PM  Students arriving from Ordean East Middle School will need a pass from their office stating reason for riding the bus over to East High School- turn in to your office not the high school.   BRING LOCK!

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 4 East High School Baseball field practice 3:40- 5:00PM ( day before meet shorter practice)

THURSDAY SEPT. 5 MEET IN SUPERIOR AT NEMADJI GOLF COURSE  1 courtesy bus there/back for non drivers.  Students at Ordean East Middle School will be picked up at middle school at 2:00PM brought to East High School to gather needs,  East High School students are released at 2:15 PM.  Only eligible student- athletes will be allowed to participate.  We do not stop for dinner at this meet

RACE SCHEDULE:

4:15 pm Middle School Girls and Boys – 3K

4:35 pm High School Girls Jr. Varsity and Varsity 5KM

5:15 pm High School Boys Jr. Varsity and Varsity 5KM

AWARDS:

Trophy-Varsity-1st Place Teams Boys and Girls

Trophy- Varsity 2nd Place Team Boys and Girls

Champion T-shirt to the Boys and Girls Varsity winner

Gold Medals Top 15 Runners Boys and Girls

Ribbons Top 10 Junior Varsity Runners Boys and Girls

Ribbons Top 10 Runners Middle School Boys and Girls

FRIDAY SEPT. 6 practices at East High School baseball field at 3:40PM-5:30PM

***Runners need to run a long run over weekend 60 min minimum with varsity level 70-90 minutes.

Housekeeping:  1) Student-athletes find out information on Camille Herron  2) Last call for eligibility payments are now late and need to be paid either online via portal account or by check to Coach Peller $185.00  3)  If you have chosen to be a secret buddy make sure to get form from manager. 4)  Optional online clothing order due at midnight Monday August 26.  See link on our website to complete order.

Monday August 26-  practice at East High School due to weather forecast. Dress appropriately for wet conditions.Practice 8:00Am-10:00AM,  Pre order Sven and Ole’s Pizza forms at practice CASH ONLY DUE TUESDAY- we call in the order for your convenience.  If you want to eat somewhere in town you may.  This has been very efficient in the past for getting our large team fed and home at a decent time. Order with a friend or alone. NO EXCEPTIONS= NO CASH/ORDER FORM TUESDAY= NO PRE ORDER.  Forms available with manager at Monday practice

Tuesday August 27 -EAST HIGH SCOOLpractice 8:00Am-10:00AM. Pre-order Pizzas money & form due

Wednesday August 28 East High School practice 8:00Am- 9:30Am  ( early finish day before a race)

Thursday August 29-  GRAND MARAIS MEET LEAVE FROM EAST HIGH SCHOOL AT 9:00am!  We stop for a rest stop break halfway.  Estimated time of return is 8:00PM. IF NOT RIDING BUS HOME FROM MEET MUST HAVE A TRAVEL RELEASE FORM TURNED IN TO COACH PELLER!!!

Race times and distances – 1:00 Junior High boys and girls 2.6 k
1:30 Junior Varsity boys and girls 4.0 k
2:00 Varsity boys (unlimited entries, 7 score) 5.0 k
2:30 Varsity girls (unlimited entries, 7 score) 5.0 k
 Results at www.stevestiming.org
 Awards – immediately after races at Pincushion Chalet. Trophies for varsity boys and girls 1 st and 2 nd
place teams, individual medals for top 15 varsity. Medals to top 10 junior varsity and junior high (9 th
grade and under), boys and girls.
 Course Description – Junior high race is 1 figure-eight lap, the JV race is 1 and ½ laps and the Varsity
boys’ and girls’ races are 2 laps. Lots of great viewing opportunities. All races will be conducted on the
Pincushion Ski Trails. These trails are maintained by the NSSRC, and used for trail running and racing.
We will be using the flatter and smoother sections of the trail system (west overlook and lower
pincushion loops). Be advised, however, that the courses will be hillier and rougher than the typical golf
course race. Trails will be mowed as low as feasible. It will be possible to run in spikes, but some
hazards will exist (EG rocks and uneven terrain). On the plus side it is a great early season training race.

Location of meet:  Pincushion Trails in Grand Marais, MN

Friday August 30-  NO PRACTICE- enjoy family weekend before school starts.  Student athletes need to run on their own two of the days off.

MONDAY September 2- LABOR DAY PRACTICE- we meet at Chester Bowl (Back field) 5:00PM  this is a required practice and important to our training schedule to balance rest/race weeks.  Should be done at 6:00PM.

Good luck at school if you are starting PSEO classes!  Be sure to communicate with coaches if schedule conflicts.

Shop the Duluth East Cross Country 2019 Store!

Hurry, shops closes 08/26/2019.

Housekeeping items-  1)Complete online registration forms ASAP.  Your payment of $185.00 will now be available on your infinite campus portal or bring a check to practice.  If you are not registered and eligible by Wednesday, August 21 then you are not able to participate this season for our team.  Our Minnesota State High School League rosters are due and that is our deadline.  2)Physicals and forms/payment must be verified prior to first meet ( Thursday August 22) so get these items taken care of immediately.  3) Uniform purchase $25 for jersey.

MONDAY AUGUST 19-  Practice 8:00 AM -10:00AM at LESTER PARK

TUESDAY AUGUST 20– Practice 8:00AM-10:00AM at LESTER PARK

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21– Practice 8:00AM- 9:30AM LESTER PARK ( earlier finish day before race)

THURSDAY AUGUST 22- MEET- at LESTER PARK- arrive at 9:00AM, we are the host team and need to welcome teams, walk/jog course  prior to first race.  Race Schedule as follows:

10:30AM   Boys and Girls grades 7-9    3200m

11:00AM    Girls JV/V                                5K

11:40AM    Boys JV/V                                 5K

Medals to top 10 in each race division boys/girls

FRIDAY AUGUST 23- Practice at CANAL PARK ( Maritime Museum).  We have a dual practice with Farmington High School and fruit/snack breakfast after together.  9:00AM – 10:30AM

SATURDAY AUGUST 24-  LONG RUN ON OWN  should be running between 40-50 min grades 7-8  and 50-60 minutes grades 9-12.

Parent volunteers needed at HOME MEET Thursday, AUGUST 22- No experience necessary-  ( crowd control, chute organization, camp monitors, and bib collectors.) 

Let Coach Peller know via text/voicemail if able to help. 218-310-5611 

Welcome to the official website and information center for the Duluth East Cross Country Season.  Keep logging those miles for a smooth start to the season next week.  Please utilize this site for meet information, weekly schedules and announcements, and contact information.

Wednesday, August 7  at 9:00AM at East High School Commons area Coach Peller available for new families to answer questions.

Monday, August 12 at 8:00AM  Lester River Park ( if road constructions still in effect follow detour up the freeway t o enter far side of Superior Street.)   FIRST PRACTICE!!!!!!!!  Bring layers of clothing, water bottle and running shoes. Practice should be completed by 10:00AM each day.

Tuesday- Friday August 13-16 at 8:00AM Lester River Park practices.

Thursday, August 15th Greyhound Nation meeting at Duluth East High School- all parents and athletes should attend.  Auditorium portion reviews policies, changes and expectations.  Sport specific meetings to follow in gym for Cross Country.

Although still technically summer vacation for families and students, Cross Country is a Varsity sport and will have competitions (races) before the start of school.  Please let your employers know of important dates that may affect your ability to participate.  Attendance is not optional, meets are not optional, and communication with the coaches is imperative.

Coaches for 2019 Season:

Dave Wicker Co-Head Coach          dhwicker5009@gmail.com

Shonda Peller Co-Head Coach         218-310-5611  text/voice mail    shonda.peller@isd709.org

Scott Keenan  Asst. Coach

Volunteer Coach   Rachel Hills

Join the coaches for a mini camp starting Monday, July 29 at 9:00AM Lester River Park.  Coaches will assist in training tactics, endurance building and tips along the way.  Bring Water!  Session will be over at 11:00AM.   Tuesday July 30 same time and place for more strategies with the coaches on trails. For the final day of mini camp – Wednesday, July 31 meet at 6038 South Pike Lake Rd ( coach Wicker residence)  for a workout and lake fun after- bring water, towels and swim gear.   Wednesday is 10:00-12:00 noon.

Regular season is getting closer- be sure to be training regularly to have a smooth start on August 12!

Schedule of this season’s meets will be updated soon.  Reminder about Greyhound Nation meeting for all fall athletes at East high school ( on our webpage above with importan dates)

The Run with the Hounds was a great success thanks to those that helped, raced and participated in some way all greatly appreciated!!!