Sloper Invitational 2021

Camp Sloper
Southington, CT
Hosted by Southington High School
Official Meet Website
Meet History
Venue Records

Meet Information

Connecticut High School Coaches are invited to the first running of the Sloper Invitational on Friday, September 24th.   The meet will be invitational style with a Freshman 3200 meter, JV 4000 and an unlimited athlete 5000 m Varsity Race.  Camp Sloper is an idyllic location to race cross country.   The meet is geared to be a festival style invitational with music, food and fun.  But... don't let all the fun fool you, This is one seriously competetive meet and course.

About the Course -  The entire course is either gravel, loose stone or grass.  About half of athletes choose to wear spikes on the course.  The course is very wide and can accomodate at least 3 athletes wide at minimum with the pond loops being 10' wide.   The flat pond loops are very fast but......the two hills make it one of the most (if not the most) challenging courses in Connecticut.  Niro's Nightmare starts out with a very sharp grade and then levels out. Dash's Doom is a long gradual hill a bit shorter than the Green Monster.

Order of Events 

  • JV boys 4000 m. - 4:00
  • JV girls 4000 m. - 4:25
  • Varsity boys 5000 m. - 4:55
  • Varsity girls 5000 m. - 5:20
  • Freshman boys 3200 m. - 5:50
  • Freshman girls 3200 m. - 6:15

Registration and Entry Procedures:

  • Each team MUST field at least one Varsity squad. 
  • There are unlimited entries in each category... however we ask that coaches only run athletes in the Varsity race if they are truly in contention for a Varsity spot in the future.  Please note that the 5k course can be very demanding. 
  • Important Note: the entry fee must be paid once a coach submits their entries online.
  • Entry fees MUST be paid prior to the meet or a copy of an approved school P.O. submitted prior to the meet.
  • Athletic.net Online Event Entry for high school Boys and Girls teams available at September 1, 2020.
  • Coaches must enter ALL their Varsity and JV athletes into either the HS Boys Races or the HS Girls Races in Athletic.Net system.On race day, athletes can run in any one race the coach wants.  You do not need to declare ahead of time. There is no need for a coach to decide who runs in which race until race day since everyone receives a bib number.
  • Deadline for all Athletic.net high school event entries is 10:00 pm Eastern, Sunday, September 20, 2020.
  • There are no late entries or day of meet high school entries.

Entry Fees - Checks:

  • The high school team entry fee is $110.00 for a boys or girls only team only or $200.00 for both teams from one school.
  • Make check payable to: KNIGHTS CROSS COUNTRY BOOSTER CLUB
  • and mail to:Southington High SchoolAttn. Dan Dachelet720 Pleasant St.Southington, CT 06489
  • All checks must be received prior to Friday, September 20th or email Dan Dachelet a copy of check request/approval for those bringing a hard check to the meet.
  • INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICIAL INVOICE:Coaches are responsible for printing their Athletic.net Invoice to serve as their official meet invoice using the Athletic.net option. Do not send email requests for a meet invoice. Note that high schools registering a boys and girls team separately will be expected to pay the $200.00 fee for their school.

Awards

  • There is an individual award for the boy and girl who has the 'best' costume who will receive a plate full of sweets.
  • The top three teams in each relay division will receive unique plates of treats!
  • In line with our being a low key, fun-centric race and because many schools are already doing this on their own, we will be having a HIGH SCHOOL award for the school showing the most spirit.   This is not a Halloween costume contest, rather it's a way to show pride in school, team and our great sport.    Winning team receives tray of baked goods.  As well, the athletes can wear costumes which must be G-Rated, non-controversial and able to easily be run in and not interfere with adjacent runners. Coaches are asked to ensure that all athlete costumes are appropriate.
  • 4 Awards to HS Coaches! Coaches of Boys & Girls, Small and Large school teams with lowest combined score from each of the 3 divisions will receive a locally made pie.
  • Costume and Spirit awards will be announced following the Varsity Races. Individual and Team awards will be announced at the pavilion approximately 15 minutes following the completion of each race. 

Coaches Instructions for Shoe Chip and Bib Number:

  • All runners will be issued a Shoe Chip and a corresponding Bib number.In addition to the bib numbers that have been used in the past, each team will be issued timing chips which will be secured to the athletes' left or right foot. The chip can be laced into the shoelaces or secured with the twist ties provided. The chips and ties will be issued in a zippered pouch.At the end of the race, coaches must retrieve the chips from their athletes, place them in the pouch, and return them to the registration tent. There will be a charge of $20 for each missing chip or pouch. Additional instructions will be provided in the packet coaches receive upon arrival at the meet.Because of the switch to chip timing, there are no finish chutes at the finish line. Athletes must NOT STOP on the finish line and should continue to move to promptly exit the finish line area. 
  • It is very important that the coach follow these simple rules:1. Every Coach must issue the correct bib number and shoe chip assigned to each athlete.2. Instruct athletes to attach bib number to front of shirt and secure their chip to either shoe using their shoelace or twist ties.3. Put your athletes in a race.4. After each race is completed each coach collects the shoe chip from every athlete and returns all chips in team pouch to registration table at the main pavilion with the flagVery EASY!!

Meet rules:

Coaches, please pay special attention to the following:

  • To insure a fair and quality meet, NHFS and CIAC rules will govern all events.
  • The meet is open to high school coaches and their high school age athletes competing on their high school team.

Doctor/Trainer:

  • An Athletic Trainer is on site during meet.  They will be located near the finish line in the tent.  There will be a lead and trail bike on the course with radios.  As well, there will be multiple spotters on the course with radios.  If someone sees an athlete go down, please have them notify the next spotter they see.

MISC:

  • Food - There will be full concessions stand along with multiple food truck vendors.  Check back later to see which vendors will be on site.
  • T Shirts - Custom Meet T Shirts will be available. 
  • Please let your athletes know to bring cash