CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN

WILLIAM CHRISMAN
TRACK
FIELD

Head Coach: Tyler Rathke

Distance: J ason Stacy
Sprints/Hurdles: Chase Schneider
Horizontal Jumps: Carlos Alsup
Throws: Aminna AgBoga
High Jump: Jessie Stout
Pole Vault: Kyle Morse
CORE VALUES:

Respect Attitude Hard Work Pride

-For coaches -Positive -Compete -For your team

-For teammates -Focused -Discipline -For your school
-For yourself -Respectful -Effort/Toughness -For community
-For officials -Goal oriented -Commitment -For your family
-For competitors -Trust -Consistency -For yourself
-For the sport -Accountability -Leadership -For your event
-For the process -Coachability -Preparation -In your work ethic
-Enthusiasm -Integrity

TEAM PHILOSOPHY:

By practicing our core values of respect, attitude, hard-work, pride, and the
characteristics associated with each one; we will be mentally sharp, physically strong,
and individually focused on being the best we can be and trying to improve each and
every day.

We believe that through the process of goal-setting, training, and continual

improvement, each athlete who buys in and trusts in the process will be ready to
compete and climb the mountain towards championship track meets in May.

ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:

1st Priority: Academics

You not only represent yourself but you represent your team everyday in class. Your
grades and your behavior in class are indications of the type of person you are and also
a reflection of our team. Please work as hard in class as your would in practice. Treat
your teachers with the same respect you will have for your coaches.
 2nd Priority: Track and Field
We believe that each one of you are capable of being a successful student/athlete. Trust
in the plan each coach has for you and set realistic goals which you can work towards.

Track is a competitive sport that requires a sacrifice of time and energy. Our practices
are 5 days per week. We understand that students may have jobs and other interests,
but these must not stand in the way of practice or competition. Unless it has been
agreed upon with the coaching staff prior to the season.

TRY OUT CRITERIA (CUTS):

We believe that anyone can work hard and improve and that there is a track and field
event for everyone. It is our policy not to cut athletes based on ability level. However,
we always reserve the right to dismiss any athlete from the team who does not exhibit
behavior representative of the William Chrisman Track & Field Team. This may include
not following team or school rules, acting disrespectful to coaches or teammates,
missing practices or meets, not following workouts, etc.

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG POLICY:

Do NOT participate in activities that jeopardize your eligibility with our team. We will
abide by the William Chrisman and MSHSAA rules concerning athletes that violate these
policies regarding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

PRACTICE INFORMATION:

Practice Time:

Practice will begin at 2:45pm Monday-Friday. The time and length of practice may vary
according to the athletes events, weather conditions, or specific workout. The policy of the
coaching staff is that parents should expect their child to be ready to leave on most occasions
by 4:45. On specific occasions, we will need to practice later but we will do our best to warn you
ahead of time.
Tardiness:

Athletes are expected to be at the track ready to begin warming up at 2:45. It is imperative that
practice begin on time. No individual is more important than the team. A student who needs to
meet with a teacher must communicate with coaches prior to the exact day.

Proper Attire:

Every athlete is responsible for having the right equipment to compete. The weather in February
and March is erratic at best. Each athlete should always have proper running shoes, shorts, and
sweats. Athletes that do not wear the proper clothing in inclement weather often end up ill and
absent from school and practice. A proper pair of running shoes is the best way to combat shin
splints and other chronic foot, ankle, leg, knee, and hip injuries.

William Chrisman uniforms or sweats are not to be worn at practice. If they are seen at practice
you will face consequences. They are only to be worn at meets.

Also, you MUST wear a shirt at all times, even when it is hot, the school rule for both males and
females is that a shirt must to be worn and your chest and back must be covered.

Personal Possessions:

Athletes are not allowed to wear jewelry, except for a watch, to practice. Athletes are also not
allowed to have cell phones or personal listening devices (like iPods) at practice. These
possessions and all other personal possessions should be locked up during practice. They can
be locked up in the students locker, a PE locker, or a car, if they have access to one. Personal
possessions should not be left outside, in the common area of the locker room, track shed, or
accessible to anyone other than the owner.

Inclement Weather:

In cases of extreme weather conditions, the track team will practice indoors. Practice will rarely,
if ever, be cancelled completely. We will show our mental toughness by not using weather as an
excuse and being prepared for all elements.
Injuries:

Most injuries can be prevented through proper shoes and training attire, taking warm-ups and
stretching seriously, following the coach's instructions, and cooling down properly. If an athlete
thinks they are injured, it is crucial they communicate this with their event coach immediately. If
they are referred to the athletic trainer, it is essential they follow their professional instructions.
Injured athletes are still required to attend all practices, although they may be assigned
separate, alternative workouts. Athletes who are injured and unable to practice will not be able
to participate in meets.

End of Practice Procedures:

No one should leave the track area without notifying the coach. Practice does not end until the
athlete is personally excused by a coach. Each area has responsibilities at the end of practice.

Throwers are to make sure all shot puts, discusses, and javelins are put away.
Sprinters must make sure all starting blocks and batons are put away.
Hurdlers are responsible for clearing hurdles from the track as needed.
High Jumpers and Vaulters must put away bars and standards and make sure the mats
are covered or put away.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Absences from Practice:

The coaching staff views practice as essential to achieving both team and individual
goals. Both parent and athlete should understand that missing practice for any reason
can disrupt not only the individuals training schedule but also that of relay teams. We
understand that there will be times when an athlete needs to miss practice for valid
reasons but unexcused absences or a pattern of absences will result in the athlete being
removed from the team.
 Unexcused Absences:

Skipping practice will not be tolerated and the athlete may be liable for immediate
expulsion from the team. Athletes that cannot attend practice because of prior
commitments that have not been approved by the coach may be liable for suspension of
one meet. Athletes that miss practice due to disciplinary action of the school may also be
liable for suspension. Not communicating with a coach is automatically considered an
unexcused absence. Having an unexcused absence from practice the day before a meet
will result in the athlete missing that track meet.

Any suspension provided by the school is not excused and an athlete is not allowed to
participate in practice that day if they have to serve a suspension or detention with the
school.

If a student misses a practice the day before a meet and it is unexcused they are not
allowed to participate in the track meet the next day.

Excused Absences:

It is the duty of each athlete or their parent/guardian to inform a head coach in writing if
they are unable to attend practice. Never ask someone else to tell a coach. The following
may be considered an excused absence:

1. If a student misses school or checks out early due to an illness and tells a coach.
2. Family emergency.
3. Prior permission from a head coach, which may include a doctors appointment, school
functions, concerts, William Chrisman activities, etc.

TRACK MEETS:

The track meet is the reward each athlete receives for all of those days of practice. No athlete
should ever miss a meet they are scheduled to compete. Most meets have limited entries per
event so unfortunately all athletes can't compete. Our goal is to have someone in every possible
event at varsity track meet. We do not want openings for entries. The more events we fill the
better chance we have of scoring points in a variety of events. However, because competing is
earned not given, bad attitude and effort in practice may keep you out of an open spot!
Attending Meets:

In order to avoid confusion and conflicts, parents must understand that we compete as a track
team. At home meets, no athlete will be allowed to leave the meet before the final race.
Athletes are responsible for helping move and set up hurdles, cleaning up our area in the
stands, and should be cheering on their teammates throughout the meet.

During away meets, athletes are highly encouraged to attend the entire competition. If there is
an emergency or a prior scheduled event and they must leave before the meet is over a
parent/guardian must sign the student/athlete out from the head coach or there event coach.
Failure to abide by this rule will result in punishment and possible expulsion from the team. We
take student/athlete safety very seriously and we must be aware of where athletes are at all
times.

Transportation to Meets:

Buses will be available to transport athletes to and from all meets. Buses will leave from the
circle drive at the front entrance to the gym and return to the back parking lot at Chrisman.

School-day meets:

On school-day meets, athletes will occasionally be given permission to get out of school early. It
is critical that athletes do not abuse this privilege and leave class only at the designated time
and make-up all class work prior to leaving.

Cancellation of Meets:

On rare occasions, due to severe, unrelenting weather, track meets may be cancelled. In most
cases, cancelled meets are very difficult to reschedule. For this reason coaches usually wait
until the last possible minute to cancel. If a meet is cancelled, parents will be notified via
Remind, Email, and Twitter. It is the student athlete's job to spread the word to teammates once
they have received word.
Clothing at Meets:

Like at practice, athletes need to bring layers to meets, including rain gear. Athletes may only
compete in the William Chrisman Track & Field issued uniform. No compression shorts,
leggings, undershirts, or other articles of clothing that can be seen under the uniform may be
worn, unless specifically approved by the head coach.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS:

If you have a medical problem, the coaches should be made aware of the condition or special
situation prior to the first practice. All medical conditions will be taken seriously and considered
carefully in planning of practices and meets. Each student athlete is required to have a physical
before participating in practice. The free physical day is February 25th at 5:00pm @ William
Chrisman in the small gym.

BOOSTER CLUB:

The William Chrisman Booster Club supports all athletic teams and provides equipment and
services that benefit multiple sports teams. Each family is encouraged to become a member of
the Booster Club. Contact Lori Ross (Booster Club President) for more information.
The booster club graciously donated our new hurdles this year and has supported us with
fundraising opportunities that helped us purchase shirts, uniforms, and sweats.

COMMUNICATION:

We believe that parents, athletes and coaches need to work together to build a successful
program. If you are unhappy or have questions about a team policy, we would rather know
about it and discuss it now rather than let the problem escalate. This does not mean we can
always talk to parents and students at any given moment we are in a classroom full of
students all day. If you need to contact us, the best way to reach us is by email and then from
there we can set up a meeting if needed with parents, athlete, and coaches. As a rule of thumb,
we will try to set up meetings with parents at least 24 hours after the incident has occurred.

Text @williamchr to 81010 for one way communication with standard messaging rates from
coaches. We will communicate with parents via Remind on cancellations, meet schedules, or
emergency situations. Also follow @Coach_Rathke on twitter for live results and updates.
LETTERING REQUIREMENTS:

In order to be entitled to receive a varsity letter in track and field, the student-athlete MUST remain in good
academic and team standing AND achieve one or more of the following qualifications:

1. Participate in at least 50% of the varsity meets throughout the season and finish the season in good
standing.
2. Establish a new school record mark in any individual event or participate on a relay team which
establishes a new school record mark and finish the season in good standing.
3. Be the top total varsity point-scorer for William Chrisman in any individual event over the course of
the season and finish the season in good standing.
4. Reach the performance level listed below in a meet with 2 or more teams and finish the season in
good standing.

Boys Performance Standard Girls Performance Standard

100m 11.1 100m 12.6

200m 23.0 200m 27.0

400m 52.0 400m 62.5

110m Hurdles 15.5 100m Hurdles 16.5

300m Hurdles 43.0 300m Hurdles 49.0

800m 2:03 800m 2:38

1600m 4:48 1600m 6:10

3200m 10:24 3200m 13:10

Long Jump 206 Long Jump 160

Triple Jump 400 Triple Jump 330

High Jump 60 High Jump 50

Pole Vault 120 Pole Vault 90

Discus 1400 Discus 1080

Shot Put 470 Shot Put 350

Javelin 150 Javelin 100

 2017 Meet Schedule
Event Meet, Event, or Description Location Team
Date

March 21 Blue Springs Junior Varsity Blue Springs HS JV

March 22 BSS, Fort O, Chrisman Tri-Meet Blue Springs South HS V/JV

March 24 Belton Pirate Relays Belton HS V

March 28 Blue Springs 9th Grade Meet Blue Springs HS 9

March 31 Rusty Hodge Invitational Blue Springs South HS V

April 7 Bill Summa Invitational William Chrisman HS V

April 11 Raytown South Junior Varsity Raytown South HS JV

April 13 Fort Osage Invitational Fort Osage HS V/JV

April 14 PSU Jocks Nitch (Pitt State Relays) Pittsburg State (KS) V

April 18 City Championships William Chrisman HS V

April 21-22 KU Relays University of Kansas V

April 25 Throwers Showcase Fort Osage HS V/JV

April 25 Belton All Comers Meet Belton HS JV

April 28 Gary Parker Invitational Blue Springs HS V

May 3 KC Suburban White JV Conference William Chrisman HS JV

May 5 KC Suburban White Varsity Conference William Chrisman HS V

May 13 MSHSAA Class 5 District 7 William Chrisman HS V

May 20 MSHSAA Class 5 Sectional 4 Blue Springs HS V

May 27-28 MSHSAA Class 5 State Track Meet Jefferson City HS V