Coach: Anna Helm

Cross country running began as an English schoolboy game called "hare and hounds" or "the paper chase" in the early 19th century. In this game, a runner or group of runners set out early and laid a trail by dropping shredded paper, while a second set of runners then set out in pursuit, trying to "catch the hare" by following the paper trail. Now cross country teams use the game of "hare and hounds" for training, but competitions are held along courses laid out in advance over open and varied terrain. While some XC team members also run distance events in springtime's track and field, the two are separate sports. *

The Spring Branch middle schools' cross country season is held in late fall through early winter. Cross Country teams are made up of five to nine runners, and the team score is determined by adding up the places in which team members finish. 1 point is awarded for first-place, 2 points for second, and so on. The team with the lowest score wins.

* excerpts from Hickoksports.com