Wednesday, January 29, 2014

NCAA recruiting - rules and regulations

Hello,

I just wanted to post some information on what IS and IS NOT allowed regarding college recruiting on the site so I would have it available to reference for some of our runners.

Here's a document from the NCAA regarding recruiting regulations:
http://www.aaaa-sa.org/College%20PDF/NCAA%20Recruiting%20Regulations.pdf

Here's the summary of NCAA recruiting guidelines (...you will find these someone on most Division I school athletic websites):

NCAA Recruiting Rules and Guidelines

Freshman and Sophomore year of High School
(and until Sept. 1 of Junior Year)

Coaches may - 

•Send questionnaires, sports camp brochures, and NCAA Educational Information
•Accept phone calls placed by prospects at their own expense, but may not return voicemail messages from prospects.

Coaches may NOT - 

•Initiate phone calls to prospects.
•Send any other written recruiting materials to prospects

Unofficial Visits -

•Prospects can make unofficial visits to campus
•Can receive up to three complimentary admissions to a campus sporting event
•May talk in person with college coaches only on the college campus

September 1st of your Junior Year -

•Coaches may send information about their school or program (personalized letters, photocopies of newspaper clippings, media guides, schedule cards, and official university academic and admissions publications)
•Coaches may also reply to your emails or send email

July 1st after your Junior Year -

•Coaches are only allowed to make one phone call per week to you or your parents. (Coaches may accept unlimited phone calls that are initiated by prospects at any time)
•A college coach may contact you in person off the college campus only on or after July 1st after completion of your junior year. Any face-to-face meeting between a college coach and you or your parents, during which any of you say more than "hello" is considered a contact.

Senior Year -

•Coaches can send written correspondence and make telephone calls as listed under July 1st after your Junior Year.
•You are only allowed to make 5 Official - expense paid visits to college campuses. Your visit to the campus may not last longer than 48 hours. These visits can occur no earlier than your first day of classes of your senior year.
•Coaches must have an official SAT or ACT score and a copy of your official high school transcript before this visit can take place.

Recruiting at Tournaments -

At a tournament, if a coach does not talk to you, it's not because he is being rude. The NCAA has specific rules about recruiting which limits communication at tournaments.

At tournaments, coaches are not allowed to have any personal contact with student-athletes. It is, however, permissible to say "hello" in passing. Anything more than "hello" is considered a contact.

A conversation, other than a simple greeting, with a parent or guardian at a tournament site, is considered a contact.

A coach may sit down with a parent or guardian at a competition site. This will count towards one of the three in-person off-campus recruiting contacts a coach is allowed.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Trinity CC Christmas Party

Hello,

I hope everyone has had a nice break from school and enjoyable time with family during the Christmas season! For any of the cross country runners that are available before project week, we have plans for the 6th annual Trinity CC Christmas Party. Here are the details:

What: Trinity Cross Country Christmas Party
Where: Oxboro Evangelical Free Church - 9431 Nicollet Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420
Date: Saturday, January 4th
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Who: All Trinity 2013 Cross Country Runners (...any high school-graduated Trinity cross country alumni are also welcome and encouraged to attend)
What To Bring: $3 for pizza supper and a white elephant gift (something you made, something to regift, or something that would cost under $5)

Schedule of Events:
6:00pm - Doors are open/Social Time
6:30pm - Pizza will be delivered/ready for supper (there will be vegetarian and gluten-free pizza available)
7:00pm - White Elephant gift exchange
7:30pm - Games/Hang Out Time/Open Gym

There will be a gym for dodgeball, basketball, floor hockey, etc...there will also be games, trivia, and contests available to play...or you can just sit and catch up with your friends and teammates. If you can't stay until 9pm or can't arrive until 7pm, don't worry...just come join us for as long as you can.

We hope to see you on Saturday, January 4th! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Jesse

Sunday, December 29, 2013

State Meet and 2013 Season Wrap-Up

Hello,

This post is long overdue, but I wanted to share some information from the State Meet, recognize runners for team awards, and say thank you.

State Meet Results-
Girls Varsity-
14:52.3 - Becca Wilkin (5:39, 6:17, 2:56) - 3rd place
15:40.5 - Lotus Schifsky (5:55, 6:40, 3:05) - 31st place
(176 total girls runners)

It was the fourth season in a row that Trinity was participating at the State Meet with an individual or team.  It was an exciting experience to have a couple of runners perform so well at such a big meet...and fun for the rest of the team to be involved and come out to support them at State and in the training leading up to the event.

It was another great season for both the boys and girls teams. We will miss a couple of key senior leaders, but potentially return lots of talent and experience for the 2014 season with reason to be very optimistic about the future.

All-State-
By placing third at the State Meet, Becca Wilkin earned her status as an All-State runner (top 25) and State Medalist (top 10).  The highest finish ever for a Trinity runner and a fitting end to an impressive season for Becca.

Academic All-State-
Both the Trinity Boys and Girls Cross Country teams achieved the highest level of academic all-state honor - Gold Level. This means that the varsity runners listed on the Section 4A roster averaged a GPA level of 3.75 or higher. Congratulations to both squads!

Also, Lotus Schifsky and Becca Wilkin both earned individual academic all-state honors this season. If a runner is in grades 10-12, places in the top 15 at the Section meet, and has a GPA over 3.75 - they also are recognized as individual academic all-state student-athletes. Congratulations Lotus and Becca!

Team Awards-
Our CC banquet seems so long ago now, but on Saturday, November 16th we acknowledged these runners with well-deserved awards:

Boys-
Most Valuable - Henry Brink
Most Dedicated - John Michael Berns
Most Improved - Raymond Tallarini
Spirit Award - Tyler Husaby
Junior High Runner of the Year - Thomas Wilkin

Girls-
Most Valuable - Becca Wilkin
Most Dedicated - Lotus Schifsky
Most Improved - Hannah Kehl
Spirit Award - Claire Mealey
Junior High Runner of the Year - Elizabeth Neil

Motivation for 2014 Season-
Summer and off-season training is the key for any individual and team success in distance running...and it's no different at Trinity.

Many of you have had a chance to see what an improved summer of training has already done to establish a routine of running, which leads to faster times and better racing.  Let's keep the growth of this cross country program going by each doing our part to improve and have the patience to stick with training!

Every runner should evaluate their own situation and determine what the next step in their training should be to improve - it will be different for everyone based on experience, previous summer training, and age. If you have questions, please ask me...I would be glad to help.

There is no magic method to becoming a better and faster runner, but I can give you some important advice a previous coach of mine imparted on me:

Coach: "Do you know the secret to becoming a better runner? To run. And run some more. And do it often."

Seems simple doesn't it? ...but when the cold winter months or the busy summer months roll around, it gets harder and harder to be diligent in training...to keep the routine and remember that consistency in training is the best way to improve.

Thank you-
I want to say thanks again to the parents and families of the cross country runners for hosting events, providing transportation, timing and working at meets, and for your support and patience throughout the season. It can be a big challenge for coaches with such a large group of athletes, but we are always pleased with the willingness of so many to chip in and help out as needed.  Our success comes from your involvement and the positive team atmosphere you help us instill in the program.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Trinity CC - Week Twelve Schedule

Hello,

We have entered the final week of the cross country season, with Becca Wilkin and Lotus Schifsky still preparing for the State Meet.

For many runners the official cross country season has ended. Practices are optional for any runners that are not running at the State Meet, but practice is no longer a required commitment. However, it is a great way to extend your training with teammates while we still have great weather!

Here's the schedule for the upcoming week...please note the shorter practice times:

Week Twelve Schedule:
Monday, October 28th - 3:30-5:00pm at Trinity School
Tuesday, October 29th - 3:00-7:15pm - going to St. Olaf College - We will leave immediately following the school day and run the course for Saturday. If any CC runners would like to make the trip, we have a limited number of seats - please let me know as soon as possible. We also plan to eat supper in Northfield before returning to Trinity between 7:00-7:30pm.
Wednesday, October 30th - Run On Your Own - option to run at 6:45am at Trinity School
Thursday, October 31st - 3:30-4:30pm at Trinity School (practice will be short because of Halloween)
Friday, November 1st - 1:00-5:00pm - going to St. Olaf College - We will leave Trinity at 1:00pm and go to Northfield to pickup our registration packet, participate in the pre-meet practice time, and come back to Trinity by 5:00pm.  Because we will be getting out of school...only Becca Wilkin, Lotus Schifsky and Claire Mealey plan to make the trip with the coaches.  For everyone else, this is a Run On Your Own day.
Saturday, November 2nd - State Meet at St. Olaf College - Class A Girls Race at 1:00pm (Becca Wilkin, Lotus Schifsky), Class A Boys Race at 2:00pm. We plan to take a caravan from Trinity at 10:45am to be at the race site by 11:30am.  We will stay through the Class A awards ceremony that will start around 3:00pm and finish around 3:30pm.  We do plan to stop somewhere to eat on the way back from the meet on the edge of the Metro Area and bring kids from the caravan back to Trinity between 5:30-6:00pm.

We are hoping that many teammates and fans can make the trip to Northfield to cheer on Becca and Lotus and experience the races!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Jesse

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Section 4A Meet Results

Hello,

We had great weather for the Section 4A Meet today at Battle Creek Park.  The Tri-Hawk runners gave an exceptional team effort and it led to some great performances, some fast times, and even a tie-breaking finish in the Girls Varsity race...which unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of today.

We have had some adversity with the team lately and we handled it well again today to produce such a great team result.  I am very proud of this group of runners.

Congratulations to Becca Wilkin and Lotus Schifsky for earning their trips to the State Meet next Saturday with 2nd and 6th place finishes at Sections!

Girls Varsity Results-
Trinity Team Time - 1:20:21.2 - 3rd of 20 teams (11 complete teams)
Team Range - 1:34.6
15:08.2 - Becca Wilkin (6:00, 6:16, 2:52) - 2nd place!+
15:39.4 - Lotus Schifsky (6:11, 6:30, 2:58) - 6th place!+
16:16.3 PR - Claire Mealey (6:33, 6:35, 3:08) - 19th place
16:34.5 - Anna Maunu (6:34, 6:44, 3:16) - 23rd place
16:42.8 PR - Charlotte Howland (6:40, 7:01, 3:01) - 27th place
16:43.7 PR - Elizabeth Neil (6:45, 6:56, 3:02) - 29th place
18:00.0 - Marcella Brylski (6:50, 7:38, 3:32) - 56th place
(82 total girls varsity runners)

! = notates State Individual Qualifier
+ = notates All-Section Honor

Girls JV Results-
17:35 PR - Emily Balsbaugh (6:59, 7:28, 3:08) - 2nd place
17:56 - Katie Michalak (7:16, 7:16, 3:24) - 7th place
18:09 - Hannah Kehl (7:17, 7:23, 3:29) - 13th place
18:13 - Madeleine Brylski (7:08, 7:40, 3:25) - 14th place
19:14 - Gracie Carlson (7:36, 7:58, 3:40) - 24th place
19:17 - Eva Bulson-Lewis (7:43, 8:00, 3:34) - 25th place
19:19 - Abby Turbenson (7:42, 8:00, 3:37) - 26th place
19:21 - Clare Reinhardt (7:40, 7:54, 3:47) - 27th place
21:16 PR - Amelia Tallarini (8:08, 9:12, 4:04) - 45th place
22:28 PR - Chaerin Lee (8:50, 9:30, 4:08) - 50th place
23:04 - Lauren Miller (8:38, 9:59, 4:27) - 51st place
(55 total girls jv runners)

Boys Varsity Results-
Trinity Team Time - 1:30:08.1 - 5th of 20 teams (13 complete teams)
Team Range - :58.0
17:40.4 PR - John Michael Berns (5:40, 5:40, 5:41, :39) - 19th place
17:53.0 - Henry Brink (5:40, 5:44, 5:49, :40) - 24th place
18:02.1 - Eddie Hoey (5:40, 5:46, 5:56, :40) - 32nd place
18:04.2 - Thomas Wilkin (5:54, 5:48, 5:40, :40) - 34th place
18:38.4 - Andy Baum (6:04, 6:01, 5:52, :41) - 46th place
18:57.2 - Mark Gerdes (6:05, 6:03, 6:07, :42) - 55th place
19:07.2 - Andrew Dourgarian (6:07, 6:09, 6:08, :43) - 56th place
(92 total boys varsity runners)

Boys JV Results-
18:34 PR - Raymond Tallarini (6:09, 5:59, 5:45, :41) - 4th place
19:29 - Josiah Sommer (6:15, 6:19, 6:11, :44) - 14th place
20:07 PR - Michael Ennis (6:32, 6:29, 6:20, :46) - 26th place
20:14 PR - Sam Hill (6:34, 6:30, 6:24, :46) - 27th place
20:19 PR - Charlie Cruse (6:35, 6:26, 6:32, :46) - 28th place
20:29 - Tyler Husaby (6:18, 6:39, 6:46, :46) - 32nd place
21:34 - Rob Kranz (6:54, 7:00, 6:52, :48) - 54th place
21:40 PR - Charlie Cudd (6:54, 7:09, 6:48, :49) - 57th place
22:04 PR - James Sommer (7:07, 6:56, 7:11, :50) - 66th place
23:04 PR - Jorgen Viltoft (7:26, 7:48, 6:58, :52) - 75th place
26:24 - Alex Baum (8:22, 8:35, 8:31, :56) - 94th place
26:30 - Joshua Cline-Cole (8:22, 8:37, 8:35, :56) - 95th place
29:54 - Sam True (9:42, 9:40, 9:29, 1:03) - 100th place
41:40 - Waweru Kariuki (14:10, 11:37, 14:21, 1:32) - 101st place
(101 total boys jv runners)

Complete results can be found here:
http://www.gopherstateevents.com/results/cc_rslts/cc_rslts.asp?meet_id=191

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Section 4A Meet

Race: Section 4A Meet
Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2013
Place: Battle Creek Regional Park - 2401 Upper Afton Road East, Maplewood, MN (Battle Creek Aquatic Center)
Time: Boys and Girls Varsity Trinity runners are dismissed from school at 2:00pm, to be on the road as soon as possible. JV Trinity runners will leave immediately following school at 3:00pm, to be on the road as soon as they can following school. Our first race is at 4:00pm.

Drivers for 2:00pm: Gerdes (6), Neil (6), Sommer, Schoen
Drivers for 3:00pm: Leighton (4), Tallarini (5), Balsbaugh (2), Ennis (5), DeMarais (6), Husaby (4), Mueller (3), Reinhardt (2), Naughton (1)

Food for Meet:  Margaret Berns, Doris Schifsky, Sandy Brylski, Della Miller, Rachel Brewer

Directions:
From Trinity - Take 494 East to US 10W/61N and go North, take US 10W/61N to Lower Afton Road and go right (east), take Lower Afton Road to McKnight Road and go left (north), take McKnight Road to Upper Afton Road and go right (east). Take the first left on Upper Afton Road into the parking lot with the pavilion and aquatic center.

Informational Website:
http://mnxcsection4a.wordpress.com/

Race Distances:
Boys Varsity and JV races: 5000m
Girls Varsity and JV races: 4000m

Schedule of Events:
3:30pm - Coaches Meeting
4:00pm - Girls Varsity Race
4:30pm - Boys Varsity Race
5:00pm - Boys & Girls Combined JV Races
6:00pm - Awards Ceremony

Awards:
Team - The top 2 teams in each varsity race are awarded both trophies and medals and qualify for the State Meet.
Individual - The top 8 individuals in each varsity race, other than the runners on State qualifying teams, are awarded medals and qualify for the State Meet.
The top 15 individuals in each race earn all-section honors.

Schools Participating:
Achiever Academy, Breck School, Christ's Household of Faith, Concordia Academy-Roseville, FAIR School, Great River School, Holy Family Catholic, Jordan, Math & Science Academy, Minneapolis Edison, Minneapolis North, Minnehaha Academy/Hope Academy, Mounds Park Academy, St. Agnes, St. Croix Lutheran, St. Croix Prep, St. Paul Academy, St. Paul Humboldt, Southwest Christian, and Trinity School at River Ridge

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Trinity CC - Week Eleven Schedule

Hello,

The Tri-Hawk runners are excited to race at Sections on Thursday.  We are ready to race, we just need to stay healthy and be smart with our time and rest...the hard work is already done.

Here's the schedule for the upcoming week...

Week Eleven Schedule:
Monday, October 21st - 3:30-5:30pm at Trinity School
Tuesday, October 22nd - 3:30-5:30pm at Trinity School
Wednesday, October 23rd - Run On Your Own - no morning team option, sleep in and rest up
Thursday, October 24th - Section 4A Meet at Battle Creek Regional Park (2401 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN). The first race is at 4:00pm, more information will follow on an early release for some students.
Friday, October 25th - 3:30-5:30pm at Trinity School - with optional pizza supper to follow our Section wrap-up practice until 6:15pm
Saturday, October 26th - 9:00-10:30am at Minnehaha Falls (4801 Minnehaha Avenue Minneapolis, MN) - meet at the parking ticket meter by the falls. This practice will be for selected students still training for the State Meet, and optional for anyone else.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
Jesse