Lake Oswego Cross Country
Building on the Laker Tradition
XC Facts
The sport of Cross Country is team-oriented and is scored with the lowest score being best (like golf). Each competitor receives the same number of points as his/her finishing place (the winner receiving 1 point, the runnerup 2 points, third place 3 points, and so on. The team score consists of the total points for the first five finishers per team.
The sixth and seventh runners, while not counting in the official team score, are able to increase their opponents score by finishing ahead of any of their competitior's first five finishers. These runners (6th and 7th) are sometimes referred to as "displacers" since they displace their competitors scoring runners. Therfore, all seven runners are essential in team competition.
A team placing runners in the first five positions would score a "perfect" 15 points. It is also important for a team to finish close together. A team finishing 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (25 points) would defeat a team finishing 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10 (30 points). This is even more beneficial in meets with multiple teams such as Invitationals, Districts and State Championships.
Distances: While the length of cross country courses vary, the standard distance in Oregon High School competition is 5,000 meters (3.1 miles). Early season competitions and some novice and junior varsity events may be 3,000 meters (a.k.a. 3K). The District and State Championships are conducted over 5,000 meter courses.
The sixth and seventh runners, while not counting in the official team score, are able to increase their opponents score by finishing ahead of any of their competitior's first five finishers. These runners (6th and 7th) are sometimes referred to as "displacers" since they displace their competitors scoring runners. Therfore, all seven runners are essential in team competition.
A team placing runners in the first five positions would score a "perfect" 15 points. It is also important for a team to finish close together. A team finishing 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (25 points) would defeat a team finishing 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10 (30 points). This is even more beneficial in meets with multiple teams such as Invitationals, Districts and State Championships.
Distances: While the length of cross country courses vary, the standard distance in Oregon High School competition is 5,000 meters (3.1 miles). Early season competitions and some novice and junior varsity events may be 3,000 meters (a.k.a. 3K). The District and State Championships are conducted over 5,000 meter courses.
