PARENT PAGE
FORDHAM PREP CROSS COUNTRY

Helpful information for parents of Prep "harriers"

THE SPORT: Cross Country is often seen as an individual sport. This is true to some extent. Athletes train to push themselves to new limits. Its not easy, but the rewards are deeper than in most other sports. A sense of self-discipline is fostered that most runners find invaluable. But Cross Country is also an exciting team sport. Scoring is simple. Each "team" is composed of a school's best 7 runners. The top 5 finishers for each team are counted for scoring by simply adding their place numbers up. Thus the team with the lowest 5-man score is the winner. Meets can include anywhere from 2 to 40 schools in a race. So there is always tough competition.

CROSS COUNTRY AT THE PREP: Fordham Prep competes in the 35-team CHSAA, and the 18-team New York Archdiocese CHSAA.  Last year we were the Archdiocesan Champions and we placed 4th in the CHSAA Championships--earning a trip to the State Championships for only the 2nd time in school history. The team's philosophy has always been one of growth and inclusion. There are no cuts save for the unmotivated athlete, all team members compete in all races--there are no "benchwarmers". Success is measured by personal improvement from week to week, not merely victories and all-star times.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOUR SON: Practices are held each day from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Mondays are usually late days (ending at 5:00), Fridays usually short days (4:00). Your son is expected to make a commitment to attend each practice since that is simply how he, and the team, will improve. Runners not willing to take this requirement seriously will be cut.

MEETS: Are held on Saturdays at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. There are also occasional meets during the week. Each athletic is expected to attend all meets. For serious reason, exceptions can be made for non-championship meets.  As a spectator sport, Cross Country is not the best. But the Freshman races begin at the flats near 250th Street and Broadway, and the best place to see the race is near the peppermint poles directly across from the Freshman starting line. Here you can see the halfway point and the finish line. Also, as a spectator, always dress as if its 10 degrees colder. Those flats can be chilly!

EXPENSES: Cross Country is relatively inexpensive. Runners need a good pair of training shoes. Suggested brands are NIKE Pegasus, Windrunner, or Air Max Triax. These range from $60 to $80. There are more expensive brands, but the enhanced value is negligible. Frank's Sport Shop, corner of Park and Tremont Aves., offers big, tax-free discounts to Prep students.
The only other expense is the Uniform T-shirt, shorts, sweat shirt and pants, and warm-up shirt , which are $100.

Scoring a Cross Country Meet: Is simple.  Usually, a team is made up of 7 competitors.  In scoring, each team adds the finish places of their top 5 finishers.  Thus, the lowest score wins.  In case of a tie, the team with the lowest 6th place finisher wins. 7th place ( and lower, if a meet agrees to have unlimited team members) also plays an important role, as he might finish ahead of another team's 5th place finisher, thus increasing that competitors' score.

Example: 9/3/99 Xavier-Fordham
Fordham 2-3-7-8-11 = 31 (6th finisher was 12th place)
Xavier 1-5-6-9-10 = 31  (6th finisher was 16th place)

 

Hope to see you on the "flats" at VCP!

 


FORDHAM PREP OUTDOOR TRACK

Helpful information for parents of Prep Runners.

THE SPORT: Outdoor Track has something for everyone. Sprints, distance events, pole vault, hurdles, long triple and high jump, shot put, javelin, discus.
Different events, one team.

TRACK AT THE PREP: At the Prep, Track & Field has become one of the school's most successful sports. Built on athletes generally with no prior experience, we've gone on to win 4 consecutive City Championships (2001-2004), and send student-athletes to top Division I colleges.

Fordham Prep competes in the 35-team CHSAA, and the 18-team New York Archdiocese CHSAA. The team's philosophy has always been one of growth and inclusion. There are no cuts save for the unmotivated athlete, all team members compete in all races--there are no "benchwarmers". Success is measured by personal improvement from week to week, not merely victories and all-star times.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOUR SON: Practices are held each day from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Mondays are usually late days (ending at 5:30), Fridays usually short days (4:00). Your son is expected to make a commitment to attend each practice since that is simply how he, and the team, will improve. Runners not willing to take this requirement seriously will be cut. 

MEETS: Are held on Saturdays or Sundays at various sites around NYC. There are also occasional meets during the week. Students are expected to make a commitment to attend all meets.

EXPENSES: Track is relatively inexpensive. Runners need a good pair of training shoes. Suggested brands are NIKE Pegasus, Windrunner, or Air Max Triax. These range from $60 to $100. There are more expensive brands, but the enhanced value is negligible. Frank's Sport Shop, corner of Park and Tremont Aves., offers big, tax-free discounts to Prep students.
The only other expense is the Uniform T-shirt (for Freshmen only), which is $10. An optional warm-up windsuit will be available for $135. 

Coaches can be contacted by email or phone:
Head Coach George Febles: feblesg@fordhampep.org; school phone (718) 367-7500 x246; cell phone (646) 554-4453;
Freshman Coach Brian Carney: carneyb@fordhamprep.org; school phone (718) 367-7500 x220;

More info on the NYC Track scene can be found at http://armorytack.com

Hope to see you on the on the track this spring!


PARENT PAGE
FORDHAM PREP INDOOR TRACK

Helpful information for parents of Prep Runners.

THE SPORT: Indoor Track is a sport unique to New York City and other urban areas of the Northeast United States. There is something for everyone. Sprints, Distance, Hurdles, Shot Put, Long, High, Triple Jump, even Indoor Pole Vault. Different events, one team.

INDOOR TRACK AT THE PREP: At the Prep, Indoor Track has become one of the schools most successful sports. Built on athletes generally with no prior experience, we've gone on to win recent City and Archdiocesan Championships, and send student-athletes to top Division I colleges.

Fordham Prep competes in the 35-team CHSAA, and the 18-team New York Archdiocese CHSAA. The team's philosophy has always been one of growth and inclusion. There are no cuts save for the unmotivated athlete, all team members compete in all races--there are no "benchwarmers". Success is measured by personal improvement from week to week, not merely victories and all-star times.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOUR SON: Practices are held each day from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Mondays are usually late days (ending at 5:30), Fridays usually short days (4:00). Your son is expected to make a commitment to attend each practice since that is simply how he, and the team, will improve. Runners not willing to take this requirement seriously will be cut.

MEETS: Are held on Saturdays or Sundays at various sites around NYC, but primarily at the 168th Street Armory, Fordham University, or Manhattan College. There are also occasional meets during the week. Students are expected to make a committment to attend all meets.

EXPENSES: Track is relatively inexpensive. Runners need a good pair of training shoes. Suggested brands are NIKE Pegasus, Windrunner, or Air Max Triax. These range from $65 to $100. There are more expensive brands, but the enhanced value is negligible. Frank's Sport Shop, corner of Park and Tremont Aves., offers big, tax-free discounts to Prep students.
The only other expense is the Uniform T-shirt, which, for Freshmen is $10. An optional warm-up windsuit will be available for $90, and warm-up long sleeve shirt for $20.   See Mr. Febles regarding these purchases.

Coaches can be contacted by email or phone:
Head Coach George Febles: feblesg@fordhampep.org; school phone (718) 367-7500 x246; cell phone (646) 554-4453; home phone (718) 884-0615
Freshman Coach Brian Carney: carneyb@fordhamprep.org; school phone (718) 367-7500 x220; cell phone (917) 494-6178

More info on the Armory and the NYC Indoor Track scene can be found at http://armorytack.com

Hope to see you on the "on the boards" this winter!



E-Mail comments, suggestions to Coach Febles