7th Western Massachusetts Middle School
Cross-Country Invitational
Welcome to the website for the 7th Western Massachusetts Middle School Cross-Country Invitational Meet that is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024. All middle school runners from public schools, private schools, and parochial schools, in grades 5-8, are welcome to participate. Please review the website for all the meet information and registration deadlines.
LOCATION: Dufresne Park in Granby, Massachusetts
INTENT TO ENTER
If you think your school will participate at this meet, please click INTENT TO ENTER to help our staff plan accordingly.
RULES
This event is sanctioned by USA Track and Field. Where applicable, USATF competition rules will be in effect.
ELIGIBILITY
To maintain the integrity of this event, the following eligibility rules will be in effect.
- This meet is open to all middle school runners in grades 5-8 who attend public schools, parochial schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschools.
- A school does not need to have a formal cross-country program to participate.
- Any runner entered on a school’s roster for this meet must be an eligible team member of the school.
- No combined schools or town “All-Star” teams.
- Runners not representing a school will compete as unattached and will not factor into team scoring.
- Every runner will need a signed waiver submitted by the coach the day of the meet.
- Every runner must wear the running bib assigned.
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is $9.00 for each team athlete participating at the meet, but there’s a minimum school entry fee of $50. The entry fee for an unattached athlete(registered by a parent or guardian not by a school) is $30.00.
- Note that you owe for each entry made on your Excel spreadsheet. There are NO REFUNDS for scratches or “no shows.”
SCHEDULE
A minimum of 5 runners is needed to get a team score. If a school enters less than 5 runners no team score will be calculated.
Event 1 4:10 – Boys Championship Race – no maximum
Event 2 4:30 – Girls Championship Race – no maximum
The 1st place finisher will receive a plaque. The next 14 finishers in each race will receive a medal as they cross the finish line.
TEAM TROPHIES
A first place plaque and a runner-up plaque will be presented after both races have finished.
FOOTWEAR
Non-spiked shoes are required since there is some pavement on the course.
COURSE
Runners will run a total distance of 1.6 miles. A map of the course will be emailed to all coaches a week before the meet.
TEAM TENTS
Teams may set up a tent in the designated area.
ENTRY PROCESS
Coaches must email a team roster to the Meet Director by Saturday, October 19, 2024. The roster must be an Excel spreadsheet using the following format: Column 1 – First Name, Column 2 – Last Name, Column 3 – School, Column 4 – Grade, Column 5 – Gender.
A check or school purchase order(made out to Northeast Middle School Meets) must be received by Tuesday, October 22, 2024. If a payment or a purchase order is not received by this date, your team will not participate. No exceptions will be made. There are no refunds(unless the meet is canceled) – this is an entry fee, not a participation fee.
Payment Address: Northeast Middle School Meets, 4 Parsons Road, Hubbardston, MA 01452
WAIVER / RELEASE
Each competitor MUST have his/her waiver signed.
Coaches must submit waivers when picking up the team packet on meet day.
PARKING
ONLY USE DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS
Please follow directions of the police and parking monitors.
DOGS
Absolutely no dogs will be allowed at the race site – that includes ALL course/fields/team areas/parking areas.
Individuals with dogs will be asked to immediately leave the facility by the staff. Please respect this request.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are bathrooms on site. Please do not “use” the woods.
WEATHER ISSUES
Heavy rains may cause a delay to the meet schedule. In the event of torrential rains, the meet will be postponed to Friday, October 25, 2024.
CONTACT INFO
Email any meet questions to the Meet Director at [email protected]
USATF MEMBERSHIP
If you would like information on becoming a USA Track & Field member, go to www.usatf.org