Hi All!

Congratulations on a fantastic first two weeks. I hope you are all as excited as I am to get school started and the racing season underway. WAHOO! This is my favorite time of year.

First some important info from the Boosters:
* Carpool assistance is needed. See below for more details.
* The Boosters ask that all athletes contribute $5 to the fund at the beginning of the season. This will cover the cost of the end of season banquet as well as snacks and drinks that will be provided at meets. Typically this is collected at the end of the season before the banquet but we ask that you contribute at the beginning of the season while everyone is still competing to ensure and awesome banquet. If at all possible please bring your $5 to the uniform pickup which will be run by booster volunteers.

See info below on:
Practice and meet schedule
Uniforms
Practice carpools

Just a reminder that there will be a practice tomorrow (Saturday Sept 1st) at 9am at Robinswood. All varsity athletes should attend unless they have let their coach know otherwise. This practice is optional, but highly recommended for non-varsity athletes. It is particularly important for those who do not have quite enough practices to race at the Jamboree on September 6th (remember that a minimum of 10 practices are required before your first race).

Practice and Meet Schedule for Next Week:
Monday (Labor Day) - no practice, but you SHOULD run on your own. Schedule some time with a teammate and meet up for a run at your convenience. The run should be at your regular easy distance day pace and length.

Tuesday (First day of school) - 3:15 at NHS track

Wednesday - 3:15 at NHS track (see below for uniform signout info!)

Thursday - JAMBOREE at Lake Sammamish State Park (races start at 4pm with freshmen boys and girls first followed by sophomore, junior and senior races approximately every half hour). The bus will leave school at 2:40. BE ON TIME - this means you should have your stuff together and preferably even have your uniform and sweats BEFORE 7th period so that you can head right out to the bus.

Note to parents who want to attend the meet: the meet is held near the main parking lot at Lake Sam State Park. This is the parking lot near the beach, NOT at the soccer fields.
ALL NHS XC athletes will attend this meet!!!! Even if you do not have 10 practices you attendance at this meet is required. You will practice at the meet and should stay until the end to support your team.
*** Reminder, all athletes should stay until the end of the meet to support your team.
**** IF you leave with a parent, but sure to check out with a coach so we aren't looking for you when it's time for the bus to leave!

Friday - NHS track

Saturday - EDMONDS INVITATIONAL (Edmonds School District Stadium 7600 212th Avenue SW, Edmonds)
The bus will leave from the 124th Street parking lot at 6:30 am. ALL athletes should be on this bus to make sure you get to the meet on time. The JV race starts at 8am! Yup, it's early, but respect your team and be on time.
All athletes should plan to stay until the end of the meet unless you have specific circumstances that prevent it and you have cleared it with your coach in advance. If you leave with a parent, be sure to check out with a coach.

This particular meet runs the varsity races in "flights" (this is the only race we do where varsity does not race all together). If you aren't sure which race you are running in be sure to see your coach. The schedule of races is as follows:
* 8:00 JV Races
* 8:30 #8, #9, #10 Alt. Girls
* 8:50 #8, #9, #10 Alt. Boys
* 9:15 Race 1 #6, #7 Girls
* 9:35 Race 2 #6, #7 Boys
* 9:55 Race 3 #4, #5 Girls
* 10:15 Race 4 #4, #5 Boys
* 10:35 Race 5 #2, #3 Girls
* 10:55 Race 6 #2, #3 Boys
* 11:15 Race 7 #1 Girls
* 11:35 Race 8 #1 Boys
* 11:55 Awards

(The team championship at this meet is determined by adding up the 5 fastest times from among the varsity squad. GO NEWPORT)

UNIFORMS:
Uniform handout will take place in room 2119 before practice on Wednesday. Please see the following schedule:
- Returning top 20 (based on Bell City and Kingco last year) and any new athletes currently training with the varsity group can pick up uniforms from Mrs. Heffernan anytime after 2:30 (be there first to be sure you get a full uniform this year!).
Remember that varsity athletes must have matching uniforms or they will be disqualified and won't score for the team! Therefore we have to hand out their uniforms first to prevent any problems.

- Uniform handout will then start for all other athletes at 2:45 seniors first, then juniors, then sophomores then freshmen.

Practice Carpools:
Parents who can help out with practice carpools should contact Janette Plunkett at janplu[at]comcast[dot]net. Carpool help will be needed for off-site practice on Monday and Thursdays each week. If you can help even once it would be awesome! We are working on setting up a sign up on the team website, I'll keep you updated.

All athletes MUST RETURN CARPOOL PERMISSION SLIPS BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!! Forms are at: http://www.newportxc.com/forms

Some parents asked about the metrobus schedule as a potential option for the return ride to Newport on off-site practice days at Robinswood. Here it is:

On Route MT 222 Bellevue:
Depart SE 24th St & 148th Ave SE At 05:11 PM
Arrive Factoria Blvd SE & SE Newport Way At 05:30 PM

On Route MT 245 Factoria:
Depart SE 24th St & 148th Ave SE At 05:03 PM
Arrive SE 41st Pl & Factoria Blvd SE At 05:21 PM