Proposal: Add middle school cross country, boys and girls, as an interscholastic sport beginning
with the 2026-2027 school year for Guilford County Schools…
Rationale:
A. It would give male and female middle school student-athletes an opportunity to participate in an
additional interscholastic sport.
B. A few years ago, 6th graders were not allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in
Guilford County. That has changed. It would give male 6
th grade student an opportunity to
participate in an interscholastic sport. 6th grade boys can’t play football.
C. Just like in the Whitley and Overton studies “The Case for High School Athletics” the findings
would be applicable for middle school cross country student-athletes.
a. Higher Grade point averages
b. Lower disciple referrals
c. Better attendance
d. Less likely to join gangs
e. Students become more physically active
D. Middle school cross country would put student athletes under the supervision of Guilford County
faculty and personnel. Middle school students have “aged-out’ of after school day care programs.
It’s a great way to know where the students are while mom and dad are still at work.
E. Let me state again, it would put more student-athletes under the guidance and supervision of a
coach and a healthy after school routine and environment.
F. There is no limit on the number of athletes who get to compete. In cross country, no one “rides
the pine”– everyone starts.
G. In girls and boys volleyball, as well as basketball, there are cuts and rosters are limited to 12-15
athletes for the entire middle school. A middle school cross country program could easily have
45 girls and 45 boys.
H. Football is not available for 6th graders and not a feasible sport for many small boys in the 7th and
8th grade.
I. Any student-athlete, regardless of size, can run and be successful in cross-country. There are no
pre-requisites.
J. There is no equipment needed for cross country.
K. Girls’ and boys’ teams compete in separately scored races but train together under one coach.
L. It is a non-contact sport. Many parents are seeking an alternative sport to football or soccer for
their kids due to concussion issues.
M. Excellent sport to help reduce the child obesity problem in Guilford County.
N. Provides an outlet for kids that may have a disability and cannot play ball sports.
(a visually impaired student runs for Kiser’s Club XC team)
O. Kiser Middle School has a successful Club team for the last seven (7) two years and is an
excellent pilot program. This year they have 60 runners
P. It would help Guilford County high school cross country and distance programs become more
competitive in regional and state competitions. Union County has middle school cross country
and their high schools are consistently in the top 5 at the NCHSAA State meets.
Q. The Guilford County high school cross-country programs do not have feeder programs, which
hurts in their development and competiveness.
R. It can become a life-long physical activity. There are USATF Masters running clubs in Guilford
County.
Competition Course:
A. Every high school already has a 5k course. These are easily converted to a 3K course. There are
also well-groomed courses at Hagan Stone and Keeley Park.
B. The typical cross country distance for middle school runners aged 11-12 (6th grade) is 2
kilometers (approximately 1.24 miles). This distance is considered appropriate for introducing
young athletes to the sport while minimizing the risk of overexertion.
C. For middle school runners aged 13-14 (7th and 8th grades), the standard distance is 3 kilometers
(approximately 1.86 miles). This slightly longer distance challenges the athletes’ endurance
while still being manageable for their age and development.
D. Meets could be held in conjunction with high school meets. This practice already occurs at
Saturday meets hosted by the Greensboro Pacesetters.
Length of Season:
A. The first week of school until the last week of October.
B. First meet: Ten (10) days after first day of practice.
Expense:
A. Equipment: Nothing additional to purchase. Use the Track and Field stop watches, a few orange
cones, and a water cooler.
B. Uniforms: Use the track uniforms.
C. Travel expense: Busses/drivers to meets. The money that was allocated for boys’ volleyball
travel can be used middle school cross country.
D. Officials: There are no paid officials in high school cross country, just like there are no paid officials in middle school track and field meets. In boys’ volleyball, there are 2-3 paid officials.
E. Guilford County Athletic Participation Fee: With more students participating that are not
currently involved in a sport, the county would receive more revenue.
F. Coaching Stipend and Travel expenses: Eliminate boys’ middle school volleyball as an
interscholastic sport. Boys’ volleyball is not a sanctioned sport by the NCHSAA. High
schools in Guilford County do not field boys’ volleyball teams. Use the money that is
currently spent on middle school boys’ volleyball to pay the coaching and travel expenses
of middle school cross country. Boys’ volleyball can become an intermural or club activity
at the schools for those who desire to play. There are no expenses for intramural activities.
Conclusion:
We have listed over 30 reasons for adding middle school cross country as a part of the
Guilford County Schools Athletic program. Are there 31 reasons why it should not added?
Thank you for your time.
Respectively submitted,
Seth Peoples, Grimsley High School Head Cross Country and Track Coach
David Blue, Northeast Guilford High School Head Cross Country and Track Coach
DePaul Mittman, Retired Western Guilford Coach, NCHSAA and Guilford County Hall of Fame