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Cross Country Overview

Cross Country (kross kun´tre) - n. a sport or competition consisting of a cross-country footrace from two to six miles usually between teams of contestants.

Like other sports, Cross Country is a sport that requires a strong work ethic, dedication and teamwork. When striving to compete at a high level, the sport can require strategic and tactical moves during the race from various runners on the team.

A cross country race must be either 3.0 miles or 5 Kilometers (3.1 miles).

Scoring A Cross Country Race

Varsity teams consist of 7 runners. The winner of the race will receive one point for his team. The second place runner will receive 2 points, the third place runner 3 points and so on. Only the top 5 runners points are accumulated for the team's final point total. The team with the lowest score wins. A perfect score would be for a team to place runners in all the top five positions resulting in a total score of 15 (1+2+3+4+5=15).

While it may seem to casual observers that only the top 5 runners matter, this is not the case. Races are often won because the 6 th and 7 th runners on a team displaced runners on other teams. That is to say, that by finishing in front of another team's 4 th or 5 th runner, while their points "do not count" for their team, their placement results in an increase in their opponents' point total. Also, in the event of a tie, it is the placement of the 6 th place runner that determines the winner.

Only participants from a team with at least 5 runners score for their team. Incomplete teams do not receive points for scoring purposes, although their place counts for awards.

What makes a Good Team "Good"?

There are a lot of ways to measure success in cross country: over the season do the team's times improve; does the team do well in smaller meets as well as larger meets; does each athlete continue to improve from meet to meet, are the athletes enjoying themselves. When evaluating team performance though, good teams like for their first runner and last scoring runner ("the fifth spot" or #5 runner) to be separated by as little time as possible. Good teams will get all of their scoring runners across the finish line in less than 45 seconds.

At Liberty High School we have had success in building a strong pack of runners. Our runners run and train together and in races will generally try to run in a pack of 2 to three runners. Depending on the conditions, course, competition, this pack may break up as the race nears an end, but on a good day, you will see our runners cross the finish line in quick succession.

What makes the Sport Unique?

We all have our favorite sports. Cross Country is unique because it requires the same effort and training from each of its participants. Because our athletes train together (running 3 - 6 or even 8 miles) they get to know each other well. There is a social component in Cross Country that is rare in other sports.

Also, courses vary widely. While the distance is typically 3.1 miles (5000 meters in High School), because of course location, terrain can and does vary dramatically. For this reason, times on one course (a course that is generally flat or has an overall decline in altitude) can be fast, while on another more demanding course, the times may be slower. Also, depending on the type of training, certain teams will do better on certain courses.

More then other sports, there is a large mental aspect to cross country. To consistently push yourself to the limit each day is mentally tiring and to prepare yourself to beat your teammates and yet remain a strong team is mentally tough as well. Most races are won and lost long before the gun goes off.

Junior Varsity

Any athlete who has joined the team, meets the school's eligibility requirements and practice requirements can participate in Junior Varsity races. There is no limit to the number of JV race participants. We take great pride in how our JV runners perform and based on past performances, the size of the team and dedication of these athletes, the future of LHS Cross Country is bright.