Welcome to the Great Sport of Cross Country!
Over the past 40 years, Preble Cross Country has been one of the most decorated
high school sports programs in Northeast Wisconsin. The team has grown to over 120 athletes in a season that runs from
mid-August through the end of October. During this time, athletes are conditioned through various workouts that
help improve their overall strength and conditioning. With so many individuals on the team, athletes form strong bonds
with their teammates. These bonds help to increase enthusiasm for the sport and aid in motivating
individual and team performances. The program takes special pride in the fact that many participants continue their
love of running beyond their high school years. We have many former athletes who are currently competing competitively
and non-competitively and have gained a special appreciation for the sport of distance running.
Cross Country is
a very inexpensive sport. The only items needed are t-shirts, shorts (or cold weather gear), socks and
a pair of good running shoes. Athletes prepare themselves during the practices to compete against opposing runners,
their teammates and their time from a previous workout or meet. All are encouraged to create meaningful goals that are
attainable within a given season. These goals help motivate athletes to faster times and teach valuable lessons
such as hard work and discipline.
Cross Country is also a very fair sport. All athletes have a chance to
prove themselves each and every practice and meet. From our first meet in West Bend, the top 8 times are considered
1st team varsity (also called Varsity) for our next meet (the Tom Finlan Memorial Relays at UWGB). All other athletes
run in whats called the 2nd team varsity race (or JV race). Following the Tom Finlan Memoral Relays, the times are compared
from both the 1st and 2nd team varsity races to come up with the top 8 for the Shawano Inviatational. Exceptions may
include unavoidable absences (such as an illness, funeral, etc.) which are dealt with on an individual basis by
the coaching staff. The 2nd team varsity season ends with the FRCC meet while the top 7 runners on the Varsity
participate in the State Sectional meet the following Saturday with hopes to qualify for the state meet in Wisconsin
Rapids.
How to get started
1st- It is important to have good
running shoes- they should have a thick sole and made for running. Many shoes have many different purposes-
make sure that you get “running shoes” and that they fit your feet well. You DON’T have
to have the most expensive shoes for them to work for you. Much like the sport, it all depends on the individual.
2nd- Optional but encouraged
are SPENCO insoles. These are found at a Rogan’s or many other sporting goods stores.
There are SPENCO insoles that look like a foot orthodic- these are more expensive and not needed. The
SPENCO insole that we recommend are about an 1/8th of an inch of extra padding to put in the bottom of you shoes
to help prevent shin splints or other knee or joint ailments.
3rd- It's simple...get out and
run! The miles/minutes you run will depend on your ability level and experience. Consistency is the key
to any training program. What makes Cross Country a great sport is that you get out of it what you
put into it. Plan your work and work your plan to have the best season possible!
4th- If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the coaches or attend the informational meetings over the summer.
