Breaking News - XC State Championship 2020

Good News for a Change

David Shapiro, AIA Cross Country Tournament Coordinator, finally had some good news to share with coaches and teams in an email that went out yesterday. Over an email, Mr. Shapiro let coaches know that Phoenix Parks and Rec has opened up for our cross country sectional; thus, there will be sectionals at Rose Mofford, Crossroads, and Rio Rico sites. 

The state championships will be at Crossroads Park (Gilbert, AZ) on Thursday and Friday (Nov. 12-13). The tournament guide has been updated to reflect this change he noted to coaches.

Numbers Numbers Numbers

Shapiro relayed to coaches via email that Gilbert Parks will be having another meeting this week to decide on the number of people allowed in their parks. Currently, it is 50 per field--regardless of the size or what it is. They are going to go out and measure all of their fields and will let AIA know if they are increasing the numbers per field. Currently, Crossroads has ten fields and the amount allowed would be 500 (athletes, coaches, workers, media, and spectators).

If The City of Gilbert allows 75 per field that will allow each participating athlete to have two spectators. This year AIA will not allow busloads full of JV kids to attend, as they have in the past because of these number limitations being put forth.

What will be totally different with spectators this year?

  • At sectionals each team and coach of individuals that qualify will be given an envelope with wrist bands for a parent or two parents. (Depends on 500 or 750 count).
  • The AIA Finance department will bill each school for the spectator wristbands handed out.
  • The AD will pay this bill. The coach will be responsible to pay the school athletic director for those wrist bands ($10 each)--they can collect from the parent or the booster club can pay.
  • Any un-used wrist band can be returned at the state meet and those will be deducted from the school charge. This way no money will be exchanged at the state meet.
  • Each spectator will have to put the wrist band on before they can enter the park from the parking lot.

Slight Scheduling Change at State

This year Division III and I were scheduled for the morning time slots. This year's schedule will be moved to next year--so unfortunately Division III will have the later time slot for the third year in a row. The belief is that by going in the afternoon fewer schools will need to spend the night in Phoenix and most Division I teams are within a two-hour drive of Gilbert.

Let us hope for no more snafus so we can finish up the high school cross country season with a state championship to celebrate all these hardworking kids over the past several months.