Mission Statement

Chino Hills Cross Country is committed to student success on and off the field. It is our belief that all athletes can achieve success through ability, preparation, effort, and will.

Success can be experienced by every athlete through hard work and dedication. It is our desire as coaches to provide you the opportunity to have fun while encouraging you to continue to strive for personal improvement throughout your life.

Philosophy 

Being a member of this team is a privilege, not a right. All athletes must earn their spot on the team, regardless of the previous season. All athletes deserve the same opportunity to achieve success.

“Running time is earned, not given”

No athlete will receive any special treatment. The team comes first. No individual, coach or athlete, is more important than the team.  To us, “Playing time is earned, not given” means that we will allow every runner to compete throughout the season based on their ability, preparation, effort, and will. There are no guarantees, only opportunity.

All athletes are representatives of their team. Athletes are subject to high standards when it comes to their behavior at all times. If students do not upload the values of Chino Hills High School handbook and those provided they are subject to be removed from the team. 

Goals

1. Make the running enriching and fun.
2. Support student-driven goals.
3. Improve on a daily basis.
4. Train and race like a champion.
5. Baseline League Champion & CIF Finals
   
   

Team Values  = ABILITY + PREPARATION + EFFORT + WILL

Ability
Everyone has the ability, but the challenge is to maintain the drive to develop and use the ability we are given. 

Preparation
Only through persistent and consistent training can we take our ability and transform it into greater capability. This comes in the form of practice. Athletes must be committed to practice 

Effort
When athletes draw on an inner mental and physical strength they did not know themselves to have. Throughout the season athletes must draw upon their mental and physical strength in order to achieve success.

Will
That moment athletes think they have given it all, only to find out, even more, is required. The power to go back and do it again. Even when the challenge seems impossible the runners never give up.

Daily Practices

Monday/Wednesday practices will start during 6th period, students must change in the locker room. Tuesday/Thursday practice will start before school at 5:45am on the track. Runners must wear bright colors in these runs. Coaches will also provided reflective gear. Friday practices will be either morning or afternoon. Captains will decide the Monday of that week. Saturday practices are mandatory for anyone who wishes to race. You must attend practice every day, even if you are injured. The length of each day’s workout varies, but expect most days to end at 4:00 pm. Attendance is required for all sick and injured athletes who were at school during the day. Missing practices due to injury, or illness, may prevent you from running the next race. Practice times in September may change to the morning due to the heat. 

Saturday practices, especially when the season starts, are mandatory. Missing a Saturday practice can disqualify you from the next meet.

• It is the coach’s decision if an absence is excused or unexcused, even with a parent note.

• Any unexcused absence can disqualify an athlete from the next meet.

• Three unexcused absences will be ground for dismissal from a meet, or even grounds for dismissal from the team. 

• Please schedule any doctors appointments for after practice if possible.

• A job is not an excused absence
  
  

If it is raining, we will practice. Report to practice on time for instructions regardless of foul weather. Workouts will be adjusted for extreme weather, but not canceled. 

6th Period Athletic P.E.
Grades are based on attendance and participation during practices and races. Three unexcused absences will be grounds for dismissal from the team and class. If an athlete fails to dress out or to participate in the workout, their grade will drop half a grade for each offense. 

Injured Athletes

Injured Athletes must have a note from a doctor covering their injury and the note must give a specific date the athlete will return to participate with the team. If an athlete is still injured passed the cleared to return date a new doctor’s note must be acquired and given to the coach starting a new return to participation date. If an athlete says that they cannot participate due to injury but does not have a doctor’s note, or their doctor’s note has expired, they have three days to acquire a doctor’s note and give it to the coach explaining the injury and giving a return to participate date. An athlete's grade will be affected (dropping half a grade every day) until a doctor’s note is given to the coach.

Any athlete who misses more than three races, for ANY reason, including illness and injuries, should not expect to receive an “A” in the class.

Chino Hills Cross Country Code of Conduct: Statement of Principles.

1. Introduction

Student athletic programs are an integral part of Chino Hills High. Participants in CHHS’s athletic programs--students, coaches, faculty, staff and volunteers (collectively "Participants")--are covered by the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to other members of the CHHS and CIF community. Chino Hills High Cross Country  is committed to a deeper commitment to the spirit of fair, honest, skillful and civil competition. This statement articulates the fundamental principles of conduct for all Participants for CHHS Cross Country.

2. Principles Applicable to all Participants.
   2.1.Participants shall treat one another and all others with dignity and respect. They shall behave according to the rules of Cross Country  and of Chino Hills High, and shall avoid conduct that demeans, harasses, or threatens any one person. Understandably the applicability of this principle is dependent upon the context of the behavior in question. For example, physical contact that is common on the playing field would likely be disrespectful in the classroom or if directed toward an official, umpire, or fan. The intent of and force of this principle is to prevent any participant at any time from physically or verbally abusing another person; from using excessive profane language or vulgar gestures; from demeaning or belittling another person or making derogatory comments about his or her race, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation; and from engaging in conduct intended, or so reckless as to be likely, to cause harm to another.
   
   2.1.Participants shall treat one another and all others with dignity and respect. They shall behave according to the rules of their sport(s) and of CHHS, and shall avoid conduct that demeans, harasses, or threatens any one person. Understandably the applicability of this principle is dependent upon the context of the behavior in question. For example, physical contact that is common on the playing field would likely be disrespectful in the classroom or if directed toward an official, umpire, or fan. The intent of and force of this principle is to prevent any participant at any time from physically or verbally abusing another person; from using excessive profane language or vulgar gestures; from demeaning or belittling another person or making derogatory comments about his or her race, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation; and from engaging in conduct intended, or so reckless as to be likely, to cause harm to another.

2.3. The conduct of Participants shall reflect the fact that student athletic programs are primarily an educational experience. Because of this, coaches and student-athletes shall strive to develop skill, experience, prowess, and character. Student-athletes shall not, and shall not be encouraged to, allow their participation in student athletic programs to interfere with their academic responsibilities, such as fulfilling class requirements.

2.3.1. Student-athletes are expected to attend classes, complete all assignments, take all exams, and act appropriately in class.

2.3.2. Student-athletes are responsible for informing their teachers of upcoming excused class absences and arranging make-up and exams or assignments missed.

2.4. Participants' conduct shall reflect the fact that, by virtue of their participation in student athletic programs sponsored by CHHS, they are public representatives of the CHHS and CHHS XC. Accordingly, they are expected to exhibit a higher standard of behavior and maturity than might be displayed by other students. They should always avoid conduct that could be perceived as improper or unfitting of a CHHS representative.

2.5 Participants must demonstrate school achievement is their primary responsibility at CHHS. all student-athletes must have a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for competition. In addition,  academic eligibility checks will be performed at interim reports dates. If students are failing 1 class they will be put on academic probation and may be considered ineligible for the next competition.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

• First Offense Meeting with coaches, suspended from the next meet.
  
  

• Second Offense Conference with coaches, parents, and AD
  Suspension from competition
  
  

• Third Offense Dismissal from the team.

Equipment & Uniforms

Shoes - Good running shoes are ESSENTIAL for preventing injury. Make sure you have running shoes, not cross-trainers. When purchasing a pair of shoes, it is a good idea to visit a store that specializes in running shoes. These stores will make sure you get the right shoe for your feet and that they fit correctly.
Running shoes should be replaced after 350-400 miles of running. 

Watch- Runners need to keep track of their times and distance. A basic, inexpensive running watch with a timing function will work. Garmin or any other brand of GPS watches will help calculate your time/distance/pace.

Uniforms- The team will provide athletes with a competition singlet. These should be washed in COLD water and air-dried after each use. All items will be returned at the season’s end. Frosh/Soph and JV runners will have the option to buy their uniforms from a team store at the start of the season. If they have a uniform from the previous season they do not need to buy a new set. Varsity Runners will be able to purchase their uniforms after the season if they wish to do so. 

Strava (Suggested)-  Strava is a social media platform for athletes. On this app/website athletes can track and analyze their running data. Athletes can share and connect runs with other athletes and explore different route options in their community. There is a private group for CHHS XC students, if you wish to join you must request an ad and I will admit you into the group. This is a fun way to see how you and your teammates are doing and challenge each other on various segments around campus. 

https://www.strava.com/clubs/CHHSXC

Road Rules

Because in Cross Country we do high mileage on the road, safety is ALWAYS a major concern. All runners need to obey the rules of the road.

• Before leaving the meeting area of ANY practice for a workout, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to make sure that they understand the course/route that has been explained. Athletes must not deviate from the designated route. If something is unclear before asking the coach for confirmation of route.
• Runners must check-in with coaches before leaving the practice

• Cross streets at crosswalks or signals and look both ways before crossing. 
• Run against traffic whenever possible.
• Stay on sidewalks or on the shoulder of the road, as close to the curb as possible.
• Go behind stopped cars, especially in driveways and cars making right-hand turns.
• Stay alert, and use your common sense for safety.