A dual is any head to head match between two schools. Conference meets are generally duals. A tri meet and a quad meet involve three or four teams at the same event. Each team will wrestle two separate matches at a tri or quad. Tournaments are generally all day on Saturdays. They involve several teams and can be individual competitions or team competitions. An athlete may not wrestle more than five matches in a tournament, and no more than two matches at a dual, tri or quad.

Any student willing to try is more than welcome at any point. However, there are regulations stating a date by which the athlete must have joined in order to compete.

Practice will be held from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Exceptions would include but are not limited to: snow days, no school days, and mid-winter break.

Every wrestler is provided with a team singlet, as well as headgear. As a parent, you must provide wrestling shoes appropriate for use on the mats. You also furnish any additional equipment, like kneepads, optional headgear, etc.

There are several announcements at the school involving camp opportunities, including team camps and individual opportunities. There are no required summer obligations, but involvement is recommended.

I recommend buying shoes at a reputable sporting goods store that deals primarily with running apparel (i.e., The Runnery in Greenville and Comstock Park or Gazelle Sports on 28th Street). This type of store has experienced runners as sales people who can help you choose the right shoe with the right fit. The best way to prolong the life and function of a new pair of running shoes is to wear them for running only. A running shoe that fits well and provides the cushioning and support the runner needs is their most important piece of equipment.

Loose fitting T-shirts and running shorts are adequate for daily training. There are many fabrics available that will provide comfort for the runner. Cotton is not your best choice, but acceptable. Practice clothing is the option of each athlete, however the coach reserves the right to not allow a student to practice or run in a meet, if they do not meet the Belding Area Schools values in their attire. Long sleeve shirts are often needed on colder days when we have meets. These under garments can only have one visible logo. Athletes are encouraged to wear wristwatches with a stop watch to practice but watches are not allowed during meets. Also no jewelry may be worn during meets. Athletes are strongly advised to not get new “ear piercings” right before the start of the season.

More than anything else, success in cross country takes time . . . time to learn, time to train, time to eat, sleep and recover, time before and after school, time on weekends and time away from other interests. With the academic responsibilities of being a student, most student-athletes have quite a busy schedule! The willingness to devote the time that a success demand is called DEDICATION!

Being a member of the Belding Area Schools Cross Country Teams carries other expectations and responsibilities. Doing what is expected of every team member is called COMMITMENT. Attending team practices everyday is one of the commitments expected of team members. Our goal is to develop team loyalty and individual responsibility and accountability among all our team members.

Sports are a wonderful vehicle for personal growth. Becoming a good cross country distance runner also takes PERSEVERANCE. Most athletes are ready to make a sacrifice during a race, but those that make the sacrifice through months or years of training and racing are few indeed. Cross country runners and their parents need to understand that there can be no hurry. The fundamental condition of the young body cannot change overnight, but experience has shown that it can, and will change over a period of months and years of intelligent training.

We also expect each team member and his/her parent to COMMUNICATE with the coaching staff. If a problem or illness is going to force your son or daughter to miss practice or a meet, we expect him or her to tell us about it personally and in advance. This does not mean relaying a message through a teammate or a friend. A normal consequence of beginning to train is muscle soreness, which will soon go away. However, if a runner has not participated in sports before, this may persist for up to two weeks. They should communicate this to the coaches so we can adjust their training. Any athlete engaged in intensive training and competition is subject to injury. We can prevent most injuries when our runners tell us about their aches and pains before they become disabling.

One huge key to success is off-season and pre-season CONDITIONING. Runners are strongly encouraged to be on some sort of a training regime during the summer. Pre-season summer training is essential to build a fitness base for workouts and races during the season. Team members can meet regularly throughout the summer for group runs at 8:00 in the morning. Official organized practices for the high school start the second Monday of August and official organized middle school practices start the last Monday of August.

A nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for an athlete. Especially on race days, fatty and fried foods, and carbonated or acidic drinks should be avoided. Small portions of easily digested foods eaten at least 3 hours before competition are best. Water intake should never be limited. Most runners crave CARBOHYDRATES, since this is the primary fuel for endurance events such as cross country.

Belding Cross Country meets are held at Lightning Bend Park. Click here for directions.

Open Gyms will be held at the Belding Middle School on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on the following dates: July 17, 22, and 24.

The team summer camps will be held at the Belding High School on the following dates:

• July 28-31: Freshman/JV 4-6pm, Varsity 6:30-8:30
• August 4-7: Freshman/JV 4-6pm, Varsity 6:30-8:30

Tryouts will be held the week of November 10.

No. However, girls are expected to have their own clubs, balls, golf bag and any other equipment they deem necessary (glove, shoes, etc.).

YES! The more you play, the better you will be. As soon as girls are signed up for the team with Coach Anderson or Coach Scholtens, they may play unlimited golf for free at Ridgeview Golf Club for the duration of the summer.

Negotiations are currently underway to play at Candlestone, but as of now practices and matches will be at Ridgeview Golf Club.

This totally depends on numbers, but the current sign-up list will definitely support both teams. There will only be a few JV matches, as most schools do not have JV teams, but all attempts will be made to schedule JV scrimmages and JV matches whenever possible.

For the first year, no cuts will be made. Everyone will have a chance to play a lot of golf. Please realize that not all girls will qualify to play in matches, as only the top six from each school compete in that match. However, girls will have the opportunity to work their way into the top six as the season progresses. Again, efforts will be made to schedule scrimmages in which everyone gets the chance to play competitive rounds.

Belding Cheer Team

Tryouts for Competitive Cheer are held the second week in November. Contact one of the coaches for specific times for each level.

Yes. You need to have an updated physical each school year.

We encourage all athletes to ride the bus home from away games unless it’s an emergency. We feel this helps support our team and program unity.

You must have a physical on file to practice.

8th grade is January 24, 25 and 26.
7th grade is January 26, 27 and 28.

We are limited to 24 players in each grade, 12 on the “A” team and 12 on the “B” team. You must come to try-outs all three days to make the team. It is extremely hard to get a “job” if you don’t come to the interview.

The varsity basketball coach has historically held summer camp in early August.

The best location for a sports’ physical is from your family doctor. The school district host sports physicals prior to the fall athletic season. If neither of these options are available, some of the local walk-in clinics offer sports’ physicals. You MUST have a current physical on-file in the school office in order to try-out or play for the team.

K – 2nd grade basketball for girls and boys is run in the fall. The coaching staff and varsity players work with the players every Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks in September and October. Time is 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. at Ellis gym. The players learn the fundamentals of shooting, passing and dribbling.

Boys 3rd and 4th grade program goes for six Saturdays from November to December. The coaching staff and varsity players teach fundamentals and begin offensive and defensive strategies with the players. They will also play games during the last three Saturdays where they get to practice their skills.

Boys 5th and 6th grade participates in the Ottawa-Kent Youth Basketball League (OKYBL). The players work to develop their skills with the help from our coaching staff and varsity players. We work with the 5th and 6th graders for three Saturdays in December. They then will practice twice a week and play a game each Saturday of January and February. The games will be against area schools that participate in the OKYBL.

We also have a 3rd – 8th grade summer camp during the first full week after school is out in June. This is an opportunity to learn new drills and work to develop their skills with the help of the coaching staff and varsity players.

Tryouts for sideline cheer are held the first full week of August. Contact one of the coaches for specific times for each level.

Belding Cheer Team

More than anything else, success in cross country takes time . . . time to learn, time to train, time to eat, sleep and recover, time before and after school, time on weekends and time away from other interests. With the academic responsibilities of being a student, most student-athletes have quite a busy schedule! The willingness to devote the time that a success demand is called DEDICATION!

Being a member of the Belding Area Schools Cross Country Teams carries other expectations and responsibilities. Doing what is expected of every team member is called COMMITMENT. Attending team practices everyday is one of the commitments expected of team members. Our goal is to develop team loyalty and individual responsibility and accountability among all our team members.

Sports are a wonderful vehicle for personal growth. Becoming a good cross country distance runner also takes PERSEVERANCE. Most athletes are ready to make a sacrifice during a race, but those that make the sacrifice through months or years of training and racing are few indeed. Cross country runners and their parents need to understand that there can be no hurry. The fundamental condition of the young body cannot change overnight, but experience has shown that it can, and will change over a period of months and years of intelligent training.

We also expect each team member and his/her parent to COMMUNICATE with the coaching staff. If a problem or illness is going to force your son or daughter to miss practice or a meet, we expect him or her to tell us about it personally and in advance. This does not mean relaying a message through a teammate or a friend. A normal consequence of beginning to train is muscle soreness, which will soon go away. However, if a runner has not participated in sports before, this may persist for up to two weeks. They should communicate this to the coaches so we can adjust their training. Any athlete engaged in intensive training and competition is subject to injury. We can prevent most injuries when our runners tell us about their aches and pains before they become disabling.

One huge key to success is off-season and pre-season CONDITIONING. Runners are strongly encouraged to be on some sort of a training regime during the summer. Pre-season summer training is essential to build a fitness base for workouts and races during the season. Team members can meet regularly throughout the summer for group runs at 8:00 in the morning. Official organized practices for the high school start the second Monday of August and official organized middle school practices start the last Monday of August.

A nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for an athlete. Especially on race days, fatty and fried foods, and carbonated or acidic drinks should be avoided. Small portions of easily digested foods eaten at least 3 hours before competition are best. Water intake should never be limited. Most runners crave CARBOHYDRATES, since this is the primary fuel for endurance events such as cross country.

I recommend buying shoes at a reputable sporting goods store that deals primarily with running apparel (i.e., The Runnery in Greenville and Comstock Park or Gazelle Sports on 28th Street). This type of store has experienced runners as sales people who can help you choose the right shoe with the right fit. The best way to prolong the life and function of a new pair of running shoes is to wear them for running only. A running shoe that fits well and provides the cushioning and support the runner needs is their most important piece of equipment.

Loose fitting T-shirts and running shorts are adequate for daily training. There are many fabrics available that will provide comfort for the runner. Cotton is not your best choice, but acceptable. Practice clothing is the option of each athlete, however the coach reserves the right to not allow a student to practice or run in a meet, if they do not meet the Belding Area Schools values in their attire. Long sleeve shirts are often needed on colder days when we have meets. These under garments can only have one visible logo. Athletes are encouraged to wear wristwatches with a stop watch to practice but watches are not allowed during meets. Also no jewelry may be worn during meets. Athletes are strongly advised to not get new “ear piercings” right before the start of the season.

Belding Cross Country meets are held at Lightning Bend Park. Click here for directions.

A dual is any head to head match between two schools. Conference meets are generally duals. A tri meet and a quad meet involve three or four teams at the same event. Each team will wrestle two separate matches at a tri or quad. Tournaments are generally all day on Saturdays. They involve several teams and can be individual competitions or team competitions. An athlete may not wrestle more than five matches in a tournament, and no more than two matches at a dual, tri or quad.

Any student willing to try is more than welcome at any point. However, there are regulations stating a date by which the athlete must have joined in order to compete.

Practice will typically be held after school until about 5:45 p.m. Exceptions would include but are not limited to: weigh-in days, snow days, no school days, and winter break.

Every wrestler is provided with a team singlet and warm-ups, as well as a headgear. As the parent, you must provide wrestling shoes appropriate for use on the mats. You also furnish any additional equipment, like kneepads, optional headgear, etc.

There are several announcements at the school involving camp opportunities, including team camps and individual opportunities. There are no required summer obligations, but involvement is recommended.

The only equipment the students are required to provide is their shoes/cleats.

No. We welcome all individuals who want to participate who meet the requirements.

Freshmen games are usually on Thursday at 4:30 pm.

Junior Varsity games are usually on Thursday at 6:30 pm or 20 minutes after the conclusion of the freshmen game.

Varsity games are usually on Friday at 7 pm.

Freshmen and Junior Varsity: Practice Monday and Tuesday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Practice Wednesday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. with possible study table following for an hour. Thursday is game day. Friday after school the teams watch film of their games and either lift weights or run until approximately 4 or 4:30 p.m.

Varsity: Practice Monday through Wednesday, film study 2:40 to 3 p.m., practice 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. Practice Thursday 3 pm to 4:30 p.m. Friday is game day.

**On occasion there are changes do to school events and changes in game days.

In the month of July, we strongly encourage our athletes to attend weightlifting and conditioning. We also have several camp days where we work on fundamentals and techniques we use at Belding. Check the calendar on the website for exact dates and times. If you still have questions, call Coach Wilker at 616-794-4932.