XC Meet Basics
*XC Meets/Invites/Invitationals are the competitive races we run against other schools. These begin a few weeks into the season. For the MS, these races are 2 miles in length and include courses with all different types of terrain.
*For races, athletes will wear a team jersey and may wear basic watches. GPS watches are not allowed during races! They may also wear spikes, shoes that have been designed specifically for racing that can have varying length spikes inserted into the sole, but they must be aware of each race's spike length specifications as they may differ from course to course (1/4 in for courses with a track portion, 1in for those w/o a track portion).
*Student athletes will go through a course walk-through, warm-up jog and stretches with the team prior to starting each race. At the start line, an official will discuss the starting commands, usually involving a few short whistles for "on your mark", raising arms/flag or a long whistle for "get set" and a gunshot for "go". After completing a race, athletes will go through a cool down jog and stretches with the team.
*Unlike sports like football/basketball/baseball/etc., a XC team wins a meet by scoring the least number of points. Typically, only the top 5 runners per team score points and the points are equal to the place he/she finished (EX: 1st place = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points, etc.). If there is a tie, the 6th place runner for each team is the tie breaker. Varsity races typically have 7 or 10 athletes per team compete but the top 5-6 are still the only ones who score points.
*We recommend all spectators to arrive at the race site about 45min prior to your athlete's race start time to give you plenty of time to park, walk to the course, find team camp and make your way to the starting line.
*As this is a competition, spectators and other athletes not in the competing race, are not allowed to run with the athletes as this can be seen as giving that runner an unfair advantage and can lead to their disqualification. We encourage cheering for and supporting the competitors but PLEASE DO NOT RUN ALONG SIDE ANY OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES DURING A MEET.
*Unsportsmanlike conduct can also disqualify an athlete from competition and will not be tolerated by coaching staff. This includes physically harming a competitor, knowingly cutting off part of the course and speaking to officials, meet staff, competitors, coaches, spectators, etc. in an inappropriate manner.
*See the Tips page for info on what runners should pack, race day layout, etc.
Specifics for Centerville MS
*It is expected that all athletes commit to running in scheduled meets. We have a very limited number of opportunities to race so it becomes critical for runners, and for the team as a whole, that everyone does whatever it takes to be there. We understand that conflicts will arise and will work to find the best solution but we also fully expect that a meet will take priority over any practice for another team.
*Remember, athletes must attend 10 practices prior to competing in their first meet and must attend at least 2 XC practices the week of a meet to race on Saturday. To run in a varsity race, athletes must attend all 4 XC practices of the week. See the Practice Info page for more details.
*Please let the coaches know ASAP if a runner will not be going to a race so he/she can be removed from that meet's roster! Registration usually closes the Wednesday prior to a Saturday meet.
*While it is not a rule at all meets, some will prohibit attendees from bringing pets. Please do not bring your dog(s) to XC meets even if they are leashed. A runner was bitten by a spectator's pet dog at a race in the past and we want to avoid a similar event with our athletes.
*The school district is responsible for providing transportation to and from all away competitions. All busses will depart from and return to WATTS MIDDLE SCHOOL. Athlete drop off times will be posted on the Meet Schedule below and a reminder will be sent out via parentsquare the week of each meet. Please ensure your athlete arrives on time! We will try to arrive to the race site 1hr and 30min prior to the first MS race to ensure ample time for course walk throughs and warm-ups. (EX: The first MS race is at 9AM and is 30min away from Watts MS - the bus will leave Watts at 7:00AM and arrive to race site at 7:30AM)
MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. Masks may be worn based on personal preference. **Subject to change based on community data/school policy changes**
We understand that some parents/guardians may want to transport their student athlete to/from competitions. In these cases, please fill out the alternate transportation request form, making sure to include the specific dates of travel and athlete, parent and athletic director signatures PRIOR TO TURNING IN TO COACHING STAFF. On race day, athletes should let coaching staff know & parents/guardians must sign their athlete out prior to leaving the race site.
*XC Meets/Invites/Invitationals are the competitive races we run against other schools. These begin a few weeks into the season. For the MS, these races are 2 miles in length and include courses with all different types of terrain.
*For races, athletes will wear a team jersey and may wear basic watches. GPS watches are not allowed during races! They may also wear spikes, shoes that have been designed specifically for racing that can have varying length spikes inserted into the sole, but they must be aware of each race's spike length specifications as they may differ from course to course (1/4 in for courses with a track portion, 1in for those w/o a track portion).
*Student athletes will go through a course walk-through, warm-up jog and stretches with the team prior to starting each race. At the start line, an official will discuss the starting commands, usually involving a few short whistles for "on your mark", raising arms/flag or a long whistle for "get set" and a gunshot for "go". After completing a race, athletes will go through a cool down jog and stretches with the team.
*Unlike sports like football/basketball/baseball/etc., a XC team wins a meet by scoring the least number of points. Typically, only the top 5 runners per team score points and the points are equal to the place he/she finished (EX: 1st place = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points, etc.). If there is a tie, the 6th place runner for each team is the tie breaker. Varsity races typically have 7 or 10 athletes per team compete but the top 5-6 are still the only ones who score points.
*We recommend all spectators to arrive at the race site about 45min prior to your athlete's race start time to give you plenty of time to park, walk to the course, find team camp and make your way to the starting line.
*As this is a competition, spectators and other athletes not in the competing race, are not allowed to run with the athletes as this can be seen as giving that runner an unfair advantage and can lead to their disqualification. We encourage cheering for and supporting the competitors but PLEASE DO NOT RUN ALONG SIDE ANY OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES DURING A MEET.
*Unsportsmanlike conduct can also disqualify an athlete from competition and will not be tolerated by coaching staff. This includes physically harming a competitor, knowingly cutting off part of the course and speaking to officials, meet staff, competitors, coaches, spectators, etc. in an inappropriate manner.
*See the Tips page for info on what runners should pack, race day layout, etc.
Specifics for Centerville MS
*It is expected that all athletes commit to running in scheduled meets. We have a very limited number of opportunities to race so it becomes critical for runners, and for the team as a whole, that everyone does whatever it takes to be there. We understand that conflicts will arise and will work to find the best solution but we also fully expect that a meet will take priority over any practice for another team.
*Remember, athletes must attend 10 practices prior to competing in their first meet and must attend at least 2 XC practices the week of a meet to race on Saturday. To run in a varsity race, athletes must attend all 4 XC practices of the week. See the Practice Info page for more details.
*Please let the coaches know ASAP if a runner will not be going to a race so he/she can be removed from that meet's roster! Registration usually closes the Wednesday prior to a Saturday meet.
*While it is not a rule at all meets, some will prohibit attendees from bringing pets. Please do not bring your dog(s) to XC meets even if they are leashed. A runner was bitten by a spectator's pet dog at a race in the past and we want to avoid a similar event with our athletes.
*The school district is responsible for providing transportation to and from all away competitions. All busses will depart from and return to WATTS MIDDLE SCHOOL. Athlete drop off times will be posted on the Meet Schedule below and a reminder will be sent out via parentsquare the week of each meet. Please ensure your athlete arrives on time! We will try to arrive to the race site 1hr and 30min prior to the first MS race to ensure ample time for course walk throughs and warm-ups. (EX: The first MS race is at 9AM and is 30min away from Watts MS - the bus will leave Watts at 7:00AM and arrive to race site at 7:30AM)
MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. Masks may be worn based on personal preference. **Subject to change based on community data/school policy changes**
We understand that some parents/guardians may want to transport their student athlete to/from competitions. In these cases, please fill out the alternate transportation request form, making sure to include the specific dates of travel and athlete, parent and athletic director signatures PRIOR TO TURNING IN TO COACHING STAFF. On race day, athletes should let coaching staff know & parents/guardians must sign their athlete out prior to leaving the race site.
Tentative 2023 Meet Schedule: Updates in progress
8/26/2023: Northmont XC Invitational - Northmont HS, 4916 W. National Rd, Clayton, OH 45315
For more information, click here. See results HERE
GIRLS Race: 8AM
BOYS Race: 8:30AM
Indiv. Awards: Just after race - Top 25 individuals Medals
20min after each race - Team Champion and Team Runner Up Trophies
GIRLS Bus Depart Time: 6AM
BOYS Bus Depart Time: 6:30AM
Bus Return Time: ~10AM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
9/02/2023: Lebanon Running Warrior Invitational/Richard & Iris Black Invitational
Lebanon - Girls Varsity Race: 11AM, Boys Varsity Race: 11:25AM , Girls Open Race: 11:50AM, Boys Open Race 12:15 PM ,Awards- 12:40
Bus Depart Time: 9:20
Bus Return Time: ~
9/16/2023: Springboro Invitational
For more information, click here. See results HERE.
Girls Race: 9:00AM
Boys Race: 9:30AM
9/23/2023: Fairmont Firebird Invitational - Indian Riffle Park, 2801 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH 45420
For Information Flyer, click here. See results HERE.
Boys 8th grade Race: 12:30PM
Girls 8th grade Race: 1PM
Boys 7th grade Race: 1:30PM
Girls 7th grade Race: 2PM
PM - (2022) MS Awards: Top 3 Teams Trophies
Bus Depart Time: 10:45AM
Bus Return Time: Approx. 3:30PM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
09/30/2023: SNL - Centerville HS Stadium, 500 E Franklin St, Centerville, OH 45459
For Information Flyer, click here. Remind App for coaches only. See results HERE.
Girls JV/Open Race: 1:45PM
Boys JV/Open Race: 2:15PM
Girls Varsity/Championship Race (Top 10): 2:45PM
Boys Varsity/Championship Race (Top 10): 3:10PM
Awards as finish: Top 20 Varsity and 10 JV individuals t-shirts
Overall Team Champion: 10 Individuals champion t-shirts
Team Report Time: 12:45PM
Athlete Pick up Time: 4:00PM
10/07/2023: Ed Leas Invitational: Eaton Ohio
Girls Race: 11:15
Boys Race: 11:45
Bus Depart Time: 9:00 AM
Bus Return Time: 1:15-Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
10/14/2023: Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) - 4916 W. National Rd, Clayton, OH 45315
For more information, click here. See results HERE.
Girls Race: 9AM
Boys Race: 9:30AM
GWOC Awards: 1PM
Bus Depart Time: 6:45AM
Bus Return Time: Approx. 2:15PM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
10/22/2023: Ohio Middle School XC State Meet - Optional. Participation not organized by Centerville Coaching Staff. Parents & athletes register online and provide transportation to/from the meet. For more information, click here. See results HERE.
8/26/2023: Northmont XC Invitational - Northmont HS, 4916 W. National Rd, Clayton, OH 45315
For more information, click here. See results HERE
GIRLS Race: 8AM
BOYS Race: 8:30AM
Indiv. Awards: Just after race - Top 25 individuals Medals
20min after each race - Team Champion and Team Runner Up Trophies
GIRLS Bus Depart Time: 6AM
BOYS Bus Depart Time: 6:30AM
Bus Return Time: ~10AM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
9/02/2023: Lebanon Running Warrior Invitational/Richard & Iris Black Invitational
Lebanon - Girls Varsity Race: 11AM, Boys Varsity Race: 11:25AM , Girls Open Race: 11:50AM, Boys Open Race 12:15 PM ,Awards- 12:40
Bus Depart Time: 9:20
Bus Return Time: ~
9/16/2023: Springboro Invitational
For more information, click here. See results HERE.
Girls Race: 9:00AM
Boys Race: 9:30AM
9/23/2023: Fairmont Firebird Invitational - Indian Riffle Park, 2801 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH 45420
For Information Flyer, click here. See results HERE.
Boys 8th grade Race: 12:30PM
Girls 8th grade Race: 1PM
Boys 7th grade Race: 1:30PM
Girls 7th grade Race: 2PM
PM - (2022) MS Awards: Top 3 Teams Trophies
Bus Depart Time: 10:45AM
Bus Return Time: Approx. 3:30PM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
09/30/2023: SNL - Centerville HS Stadium, 500 E Franklin St, Centerville, OH 45459
For Information Flyer, click here. Remind App for coaches only. See results HERE.
Girls JV/Open Race: 1:45PM
Boys JV/Open Race: 2:15PM
Girls Varsity/Championship Race (Top 10): 2:45PM
Boys Varsity/Championship Race (Top 10): 3:10PM
Awards as finish: Top 20 Varsity and 10 JV individuals t-shirts
Overall Team Champion: 10 Individuals champion t-shirts
Team Report Time: 12:45PM
Athlete Pick up Time: 4:00PM
10/07/2023: Ed Leas Invitational: Eaton Ohio
Girls Race: 11:15
Boys Race: 11:45
Bus Depart Time: 9:00 AM
Bus Return Time: 1:15-Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
10/14/2023: Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) - 4916 W. National Rd, Clayton, OH 45315
For more information, click here. See results HERE.
Girls Race: 9AM
Boys Race: 9:30AM
GWOC Awards: 1PM
Bus Depart Time: 6:45AM
Bus Return Time: Approx. 2:15PM - Parentsquare post will be sent when buses are ~15min away from Watts MS
10/22/2023: Ohio Middle School XC State Meet - Optional. Participation not organized by Centerville Coaching Staff. Parents & athletes register online and provide transportation to/from the meet. For more information, click here. See results HERE.