Heyworth Junior
High Track
2015
Junior High School Track Handbook
Students must have completed the “golden ticket” requirements in order to start practice. A student can obtain the
golden ticket in the school office and requires a valid physical, activity fee, and payment of any other outstanding
lunch bills/fees. Parents/Guardians must also have filled out the student information sheet (paper or online),
parent/coach communication form, and Code of Conduct. This verifies that our student athletes understand the
academic eligibility, style of dress, behavior, etc. that we expect to have exhibited throughout the season.
Attendance
Our philosophy is that if you are on a team, you commit to being with the team during practice and meets.
a. Unexcused absences - Missing practice and/or a meet without an excuse from a parent/doctor
b. Excused absences - Although we know there are various appointments (that cannot be scheduled any
other time) and tryouts that can cause an athlete to miss part of practice, the team and the individual
athletes suffer when many practices are missed. If your child has an appointment, please make us
aware in written form (email preferred) at least one day in advance (at the latest) so we can plan with
the athlete accordingly. If a student is absent from school, there is no need for a separate note to be
written for track practice.
c. Consequences - Any unexcused or unwritten excuses for practice will include the following: additional
workout at practice, limited events in a meet, or suspension from the team. Substantial absences could
result in dismissal from the team.
Practice
A practice/meet schedule for the duration of the season has been attached. Please understand that all dates and
times are reliant on good weather, and there may be changes beyond the coaching staff’s control. Mandatory track
practice will start on March 2nd for all 6th graders and March 3rd for all 7th and 8th graders.
Track practice will begin promptly at 3:15 pm each day Monday – Friday, except on the days that we have a meet or
the high school team has a home meet.
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7th/8th Grade Students – should change into their practice clothes as quickly as possible, gather their
belongings, and meet next to the track to stretch. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the school after
practice, so they should take all belongings to the track.
6th Grade Students – should change into their practice clothes at the elementary school, before loading onto
the activity bus that will transport them to the Jr./Sr. High School. Students should bring all belongings with
them to practice as they will not be returning to the elementary school after practice. After arriving at the
Jr./Sr. High School 6th grade students should go directly to the track to warm-up/stretch. They should take all
belongings to the track.
Track practice will conclude promptly at 4:30 pm unless an athlete is participating in relays or a field event. Relay and
field event practice is from 4:30 pm until approximately 5:15 pm. Parents should be ready to pick-up their student(s)
from the high school at that time. On occasion a coach may wish to stay to work with athletes. If this happens, the
athlete will know in advance so the parents may be informed.
In the event that the weather does not allow us to have practice, students will be given advance notice so they can
ride the bus home or make other arrangements. We try our best to make this decision by 2pm each day. The fastest
way to receive this information is to subscribe to our Remind alerts (instructions can be found on page 6)
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Dressing for Practice and Meets
It is mandatory that students dress for practice every day. Students who do not dress for practice will not be allowed to
participate, and will be considered unexcused from practice.
1. Practice Clothing - Since we live in central Illinois, we know that the weather constantly changes. Athletes
need to be prepared for any kind of weather at all times (rain, snow, sleet, wind, sun, hot, cold, etc.) As
coaches we encourage students to layer their clothing because this allows the athlete to remove or add what
clothing is needed based on the changing conditions. Students should bring sweats, comfortable running
shoes, a stocking hat, and gloves to all practices/meets. Long sleeve t-shirts, shorts, and short-sleeved t-shirts
are recommended. If a student is not adequately dressed for the weather, they will not be allowed to practice.
The following items are not to be brought and/or worn to practice
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Cell phones/Mp3 Players/iPods
Watches /Jewelry
2. Track Warm-ups (Meets) – All students will be required to have the team approved track warm-up (sweats) for
going to meets. We have decided to collaborate with the high school and have designed our warm-ups the
same so students can hopefully buy 1 set and use it for several years. The new warm-up will be black, and will
feature the school name and winged foot design on the front of the hooded sweatshirt as well as on the
pants. We recommend all athletes write their first and last name in the winged foot on both the sweatshirt
and sweatpants for easy identification if lost.
3. Shoes - Choosing a running shoe will be based on individual preference. We would encourage running
shoes because we know a running shoe is better cushioned for the pounding that occurs with running and
jumping.
4. Track Spikes – The purchase of track spikes is not mandatory; however the coaching staff may suggest the
purchase of spikes to some athletes that would benefit greatly from their use. All spikes must be ¼“ pyramid
type for all of our meets.
5. Uniform/Equipment – Athletes will be given a uniform to use at meets during the season. Students are
responsible for the proper care and washing of their uniform. When uniforms are distributed to athletes they
will be given a Ziploc bag with the athlete’s information. Uniforms must be returned in a ziplock bag with their
name on it. Athletes will also use some equipment throughout the season and they may be asked to carry the
equipment from one location to another. We ask that athletes take good care of any equipment distributed to
them during the season. Additionally, if students would like to wear a version of “Under Armour” during their
events we ask that you only purchase these in the color black.
Track Meets
We expect a large number of students participating on the Junior High School Track Team this season. Therefore, we
know that all athletes cannot participate in the top spots of every event. As coaches, we will use our best judgment in
assigning athletes to events. Several of our meets allow only 2 competitors from each school in each event. The
decision of who will compete in these meets will be made by the coaches based on try-outs or run-offs. We do have
meets scheduled in which all competitors will be allowed to participate.
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Bus Rules
Generally our team will take two buses to whole team meets. The early bus will take students participating in early
events, followed by a second bus with students in later events. Each bus will have at least one coach aboard.
Students not following these rules will not be allowed to participate in the meet and may be subject to further
discipline. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are on the bus at the designated time.
a. Male and Female athletes are not allowed to sit together either to or from a meet
b. Talking will be allowed as long as students keep their volume at a low level. If students cannot abide by
this rule the whole team will be silent on the bus trips.
c. No physical contact is allowed.
d. Profanity or hurtful language will not be tolerated.
e. Inappropriate gestures or throwing anything from the bus will not be tolerated.
f. Please pick up all trash (wrappers, bottles, etc.) and throw away before you leave the bus.
Meet Rules
Our student athletes are important representatives of our school and community while at track meets. We expect all
athletes to abide by these rules.
a. Athletes are expected to act in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Any disrespectful conduct toward
other athletes, coaches, or officials will be taken very seriously.
b. Male and female students are not allowed to be alone with each other at the meet.
c. When students are not participating in an event, they are to go to the designated seating areas and wait
for their next event or cheer for their fellow athletes.
d. Athletes are expected to show up for all of their listed events.
e. Cell phones, iPods/mp3 players, and jewelry (watches, etc.) are not allowed in the competition area.
Students are responsible for their own belongings while at the meet, so it is recommended that they do
not bring these items to the track meet.
f. Students are expected to stay at the meet at all times, even when they are not competing.
g. Students are allowed to leave the meet after they have completed their events and their parent/guardian
has signed them out. Students will not be released to anybody except their parent/guardian that we have
on file. Parents must sign out their student with one of the coaches. If a student is not signed out by a
parent they will have to stay at the meet until it concludes and ride the bus home.
Meet & Bus Consequences
Athletes not following the bus/meet rules stated above could be subject to any of the following consequences:
Additional workout at practice, limited events in a meet, suspension from team, or dismissal from the team. Any athlete
that is suspended from the team will not be allowed to attend home or away meets.
Academics & Student Behavior
Academics are important to all of us. Encourage your child to keep their grades up. Any athlete who received an “F”
on the weekly eligibility report may not participate in track meets. Eligibility runs from Sunday to Sunday. We also
believe that student athletes should be held to a higher standard concerning behavior. Therefore, any student that has
repeated disciplinary problems in the classroom will not be allowed to participate in track meets.
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Order of Events for Track Meets
Field Events
Boys Field events will be 1st and then Girls Field events will occur while Boys are running
(Occurring Simultaneously)
Shot put
Discus
High Jump
Long Jump
Running Events
110 M Hurdles
100 M Dash
1600 M Run
4x200 Relay
4x100 Relay
400 M Dash
200 M Dash
800 M Run
4x400 Relay
Contact Information
If you need to contact either Coach Richards or Coach Updegraff, email is generally the best method. If you would like
to contact Coach Richards or Coach Updegraff by phone please call the High School at 473-2322.
Coach Richards' email [email protected]
Coach Updegraff’s email [email protected]
Team Website/Facebook
Please visit http://www.heyworthtrack.org for schedule changes, track news, practice & meet information,
downloadable forms, and other important information. Please “like” our Facebook page for the most up to date news,
pictures, etc. Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/heyworthjhtrack . Subscribe to our Remind for the quickest
updates on the schedule, practices, and meets.
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Text & Email Updates
If you would like text message updates (practice and meet cancellations, bus time changes, and other important
information) please sign up using the following method.
1.
2.
Send the message @heyworth to 81010 as shown below.
You should get a confirmation message if it is successful.
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Track Meet Schedule
Date
Opponent
Time
Bus
04/08/15
EPG/Warrensburg/Holy Trinity
7th/8th
HOME
4:15 PM
-
04/11/15
Holy Trinity Invite
7th/8th
Central Catholic
9:00 AM
7:30 AM
04/15/15
7th/8th
HOME
4:15 PM
-
04/25/15
Delevan/Deland/Leroy/Blue Ridge
Epiphany/Lexington/
Tri-Valley/Fisher
Stiverson Invitational
04/27/15
Clinton Junior High School
05/01/15
SVC (Conference Meet)
04/20/15
Contest Level Home/Away
7 /8
th
th
HOME
4:15 PM
-
th
th
Colfax
9:00 AM
7:00 AM
7th/8th
Clinton
4:15 PM
3:00 PM
7th/8th
Tri-Valley
2:00 PM
12:30 PM
Fisher
4:15 PM
3:00 PM
7:15 AM
7 /8
th
th
05/04/15
Fisher Invite
7 /8
05/09/15
Sectional
7th/8th
Colfax
9:00 AM
5/15/15 - 5/16/15
State
7th/8th
East Peoria
TBA
5/23/15
Leroy (6 Grade Meet)
Leroy
9:00 AM
th
6
th
8:00AM
Directions to Meets
We are including these directions to all of our meets for your convenience; however please be advised that they are
taken off Google Maps. All directions provided are from the starting point of the Jr./Sr. High School.
Meet at Tri-Valley High School School (5/1)
Head east on US 136. Turn left at N 1900 E Rd (CR-29 or Gillum Rd). Turn right at E 700 N Rd (CR-36). Turn right at
Washington St. (CR-36). Arrive at Tri-Valley High School.
Meet at Central Catholic High School (4/11)
Head east on US 136. Turn left at N 1900 E Rd (CR-29 or Gillum Rd). Turn left at E 1400 N Rd (IL-9 W). Continue to
follow IL-9 W. Turn right at Airport Rd. Arrive at Central Catholic High School.
Meet at Clinton High School (4/27)
Head east on US 136 toward S Vine St. Turn right at S Vine St. Turn right at E 100 N Rd. Turn left at US-51 S. Turn left
at IL-54. Turn right at Illini Dr. Arrive at Clinton.
Meets at Ridgeview High School (4/25 and 5/09)
Head east on US-136. Turn left on Co Rd 2450E/St Leroy Spur. Continue onto S Chestnut St. Turn left on E Cedar St.
Slight right onto S Walnut St. Turn right onto N West St. Turn left onto W School St. Take the 1st right onto N West St.
Continue onto N 2600 East Rd/Co Rd 2600E. Turn right on Route 165/IL-165. Turn right onto Center St. Take 3rd left
onto E Cooper St. Take the 1st right onto Brook St. Arrive at Ridgeview High School.
Meet at Fisher High School (5/4)
Head east on US-136. Turn north onto Third Street. Continue approximately 200 yards, then turn left into the alley
that says Kellar Stadium.
Meet at Leroy (5/23)
Head east on US-136. Turn left on Co Rd 2450 (Should be marked with sign for Leroy). Continue onto S. Chestnut St.
Turn right onto US-150. The track will be on the right hand side after the bus barn.
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