Week of 10/26-10/31

 Hi Everyone!

What a great day we had at St. Marks on Saturday.  Near perfect XC conditions!  I'm so proud of everyone.  Your hard work is definitely showing as everyone raced hard and left everything on the course.  

They are all smiles behind their masks :)

                                                  On the Hill cheering on their teammates!

A few announcements before I post next week's schedule:

*   Spirit Wear:   Thanks to everyone who already sent in payment for items.  For those who still need to pay, please do so this week.  See Spirit Wear post for prices and payment options.

*  Don't forget to sign up for the B+ Virtual 5K to fight Childhood Cancer.  We are running to support Teyton.  See previous post for link to sign up.  We will be practicing at the Creek on 10/31 and Teyton's mom has arranged for Joe McDonough to come and speak to our team (and their families) before we run.  After the talk, we will log our Miles in the fight against Childhood cancer!  Go Team Teyton!

*  I'm sure you all noticed on your long run today that the temperature has dropped!  Please dress for the weather when coming to practices.  Sweatshirts and sweatpants.  It's better to be prepared and have multiple layers than shivering from the cold. 

See Below for this week's practice schedule:

Monday 10/26, Tuesday 10/27, Wednesday 10/28:  BELLEVUE  3:30-5:15

Thursday 10/29:  Meet with A.I. duPont at Bellevue  

The race is scheduled to start at 3:45.  We would like everyone to arrive no later than 3:00.  I suggest that athletes wear their uniform for their last virtual class and have their XC bags packed and their water bottles filled. We will be on the other side of the bridge close to the start/finish area.  A.I. has a small team so we will not have to have a Wave start.  Boys' meet will go off at 3:45.  The girls' meet will follow at 3:50.  Currently, there are no restrictions at the State Park when it comes to spectators.  We ask that if parents do come to watch the race that they spread out and socially distance from people not in your household.

Friday 10/30: Bellevue 3:30-5:15

Saturday 10/31:  Brandywine Creek State Park  8:30-10:30

We hope parents and siblings will be able to join us to hear Joe McDonough speak.  Bring a towel or chair to sit on.  There's plenty of space at the Creek for us to socially distance.

Sunday 11/1:  NO PRACTICE...Long Run on your own

Group 1:  50-70 minutes

Group 2: 45-60 minutes

Group 3: 30-45 minutes

BHSXC Week of 10/19-10/24

 Hi Everyone.

I hope everyone got out and enjoyed this BEAUTIFUL day today!  We are heading into our fourth week of XC with our first competition on Saturday!  We are excited to see how all your hard work is paying off.

A few announcements before I get to this week's schedule:

*  The Spirit Wear order has been placed.  Thanks to everyone who already sent in payment for items.  For those who still need to pay, please do so this week.  See Spirit Wear post for prices and payment options.

*  Don't forget to sign up for the B+ Virtual 5K to fight Childhood Cancer.  We are running to support Teyton.  See previous post for link to sign up.  We will be practicing at the Creek on 10/31 and Teyton's mom has arranged for Joe McDonough to come and speak to our team (and their families) before we run.  More details will follow next week.

*  Everyone will need a solid black pair of  running shorts to wear in our competitions.  We will be handing out jerseys this week.

See below for this week's schedule:

Monday 10/19:  BRANDYWINE CREEK State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Use the main entrance off of Adams Dam Road.   Make the first right after passing toll booth (Hawk Watch parking lot).  We will meet near the picnic tables.

Tuesday 10/20:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Wednesday 10/21:  BRANDYWINE CREEK State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Thursday 10/22:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Friday 10/23:  NO PRACTICE :)  Run an easy 20 minutes on your own and stretch after.

Saturday 10/24:  Mini Invitational @ St. Marks High School

 

Depart Time: 12:30pm

Depart Location: BHS Gym
Return Time: 4:30pm
Return Location: St. Marks Gym
Est Return to School: 5:00pm

See below for Meet information.  There are NO SPECTATORS allowed at the event.  

The races may be LiveStreamed on Facebook.  I'll send info when I receive it from the meet director:

Spartans XC Mini Meet

Saturday, October 24th 2:30PM

Participants:  Saint Mark’s, Tatnall, Padua, Brandywine, Salesianum, Ursuline

Entry Fee:   $120 per school. Checks made to Saint Mark’s High School. 

Total entry fee will be paid to John Amery at USP Timing

Race format - Coed races

2:30 Freshmen A 

2:32 Freshmen B

3:00 Sophomore A

3:02 Sophomore B

3:30 Junior A

3:32 Junior B

4:00 Senior A

4:02 Senior B

4:30 5th Race- overflow race 

Race breakdown:  Freshmen 51, Sophomores 54, Juniors 63, seniors 60. 

Covid Protocol

Temp Checks and Screenings

• All athletes must have temperature checks and covid screenings completed upon arrival by their head coach. 

• Athletes that do NOT pass the screening should be sent home.

• DO NOT ALLOW YOUR ATHLETES TO THE TEAM AREA UNTIL AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SCREENED. 

Mask Policy

• All athletes must arrive on campus with a mask on. Masks must be worn at ALL TIMES, except when warming up and racing. Warmup groups should be limited to 10 runners per group.  

• Masks will be removed at the starting line and CARRIED with them to the finish. Athletes must put on the masks immediately after they finish the race.

Starting Area

• Athletes will be called to the starting line by heats (waves) (Heats A and B will start 2 minutes apart) Athletes in Heat B will be called to the starting line from their designated team areas.

• Athletes will be spaced a minimum of 3 feet apart, separated by cones. Masks may only come off when designated by the starter.

Finish area

• Athletes will finish on the track, by the start of the 300M hurdles. 

• Athletes will exit the track to the infield, and must make their way off the track and return safely back to their team area. Athletes may not congregate at the finish line after their races.

3000M Course

Link to the 3000M Course (slight change in the first 200M. I’ll explain.)

Spectators

Because we have 220 athletes + coaches, we are not going to allow spectators on campus for the event. Saint Mark’s is going to provide parent volunteers for crossing areas and for safety.

We will be live streaming the event on facebook for each race.

Bulldogs working hard during Thursday's Hill Workout at the Creek

Join the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

 Hi Everyone.

Please join us in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer by registering for the B+ Virtual 5K race being held this October 31st-November1st. Our very own Teyton Pressley is a B+ Hero!

Because of Covid, the event is Virtual this year.  We will log more than 3.1 miles at our practice on 10/31!

Click HERE to Join Team Teyton.

If you want to read more about the B+ Foundation, Click HERE.

Team Teyton is joining The B+ Foundation to fight childhood cancer because 46 kids are told they have cancer every school day. Teyton heard those words one month shy of his 12th birthday. He spent the next year receiving chemo and radiation treatments, dealing with the side effects of those treatments and undergoing multiple brain surgeries.

Please help us spread the word and collect donations to beat our Team Goal and to beat childhood cancer.

BHSXC Week of 10/12/20

 Hi Everyone!

A few reminders:

*  Please fill out the order form for Spirit wear by tonight (10/11)  I'd like to place the order on Monday morning.  See previous post for details.

*  All athletes will need a pair of Solid Black running shorts for our competitions.  The school will issue a jersey but we ask athletes to provide their own black shorts.  Thanks.

*  New running shoes:  If your athlete is in need of a new pair of running shoes, I highly recommend Delaware Running Company in Greenville.  They offer a discount to all high runners.  Just tell them that you run for Brandywine.

See below for this week's practice schedule:

Monday 10/12: Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

We meet at the picnic tables next to the bathrooms on the side of the track

We are keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Delta.  We will make a decision on practice no later than 2:30. Message will be sent through the Remind App.

Tuesday 10/13:  BRANDYWINE CREEK State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Use the main entrance off of Adams Dam Road.   Make the first right after passing toll booth (Hawk Watch parking lot).  We will meet near the picnic tables.

Wednesday 10/14:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Thursday 10/15:  BRANDYWINE CREEK State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Use the main entrance off of Adams Dam Road.   Make the first right after passing toll booth (Hawk Watch parking lot).  We will meet near the picnic tables.

Friday 10/16:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Saturday 10/17:  Bellevue State Park  8:30-10:15

Sunday 10/18:  NO PRACTICE  Distance on your own.
See below for Sunday guidelines:

For my brand new beginners: try to run/walk for 20-35 minutes. 

For everyone else: Sunday is a great day to get in a LONGER run.  A nice relaxed pace. 
45-70 minutes.  

BHSXC Spiritwear

 Hi Everyone.

I created a Google Form for Spirit Wear.  Please take a look and make your decisions by this Sunday 10/11/20.  

Click HERE for form

BHSXC Boosters will be purchasing Long Sleeved shirts for ALL athletes.  We will also be purchasing Zip-up Windbreakers for athletes who do not already have one.

In addition to the shirts and windbreakers, we will be ordering crewneck sweatshirts and hoodies.  See prices below:

Royal Blue Long Sleeved Shirts:  FREE for runners/ $15 for parents

Royal Blue Windbreakers:  FREE for runners who don't have one/ $30 for parents

Grey Crewneck sweatshirts: $20

Grey Hoodies:  $25

T-shirts will have LAST names on the back.

Windbreakers will have your choice of First or Last name in the left front of jacket.  Please indicate your choice in the comment sections at the bottom of the form.

Crewnecks and Hoodies will have LAST names stitched on hood or back of crewneck for identification purposes. (stitching will be small)

If parents would like to purchase an item for themselves, please use a separate form.  I'm not very tech savvy and could not figure out a way to allow multiple responses to each question.

Payment:

Checks payable to Brandywine Cross Country

CASH

Venmo: @Michelle-Flanagan-6  (see my Venmo pic below)

Thanks and let me know if you have any questions!

Michelle Flanagan

Week of October 5th

 Hi Everyone!

We had a great first week of practice despite our very soggy start on Tuesday.  I noticed that not everyone is a member of our Remind class.  Please download the App so you will receive team announcements.  It came in handy yesterday when we arrived at Brandywine Creek and found out there was a Middle School XC race taking place.  We were able to send out an announcement directing the team to meet in the Upper parking lot.  See directions below on how to join our Remind class.

See below for this week's practice schedule:

Monday 10/5: Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

We meet at the picnic tables next to the bathrooms on the side of the track

Tuesday 10/6:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Wednesday 10/7:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Thursday 10/8:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Friday 10/9:  Bellevue State Park 3:30PM-5:15PM

Saturday 10/10:  BRANDYWINE CREEK STATE PARK  8:30AM-10:15 AM

Use the main entrance off of Adams Dam Road.   Make the first right after passing toll booth (Hawk Watch parking lot).  We will meet near the picnic tables.  I checked the Middle School XC schedule.  There is NO meet there this Saturday.

Please be prompt when picking up athletes from practice.  

We will be practicing at State Parks several days a week during the season.  There is a daily $4 charge for cars entering the park.  I highly recommend all parents or student drivers to purchase an annual pass.  Click HERE for more info on where to purchase.

We have been taking Athletes' temperatures daily and completing the district's Covid screening.  Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.

All athletes must wear a mask to practice,  bring a towel and their own water bottle. 

The XC boosters purchased masks for the team. We will also be buying the athletes long sleeved t-shirts.  Crewneck sweatshirts and hoodies will be available for purchase.  I will post the link here once I hear back from our vendor.

That's all for now!

Coach Flanagan