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Rules and Regulations

2026 NFHS Rules Changes

Questions & Answers

Nike Team Nationals / Post Season Competitions

NIKE TEAM NATIONALS AND OTHER POST-SEASON TEAM COMPETITIONS

NXN is a post-season competition that involves a regional qualifying round. The WIAA does not allow high school teams to participate in these meets but, does allow “club teams” to participate.

CLARIFICATION:

*No contact with the high school cross country coach is allowed after the date of the State Cross Country Meet. *The team must be a club team. No high school uniforms, warm-ups, transportation, or funding is allowed. The team should not be identified as the high school team. For example; “Central High School” is not acceptable but “Cheetahs Running Team” would be.

*Teams may not be chosen or invited based upon their performance at the WIAA State Cross Country Meet. They must run a qualifying meet which is open to all.

*Amateur status rules must be followed. From the Rules At A Glance: C. AMATEUR STATUS A student may not accept, receive and/or direct to another, any cash or merchandise awards for achievement in athletics. This means athletes may not accept items such as shoes, jackets, gift certificates, etc., for athletic accomplishments, such as being on a winning team, being selected for the school varsity team, or being a place winner in an individual tournament, etc. They may receive an award which is symbolic in nature, such as trophies, medals, ribbons, event T-shirts, event hats, game balls or other items of no intrinsic value. Rules further prevent athletes from receiving compensation or benefit, directly or indirectly, for the use of name, picture and/or personal appearance as an athlete. This includes receiving free and/or reduced rates on equipment, apparel, camps/clinics/instruction and competitive opportunities that are not identical for all other participants. A student may not be identified as an athlete, provide endorsement as an athlete, or appear as an athlete in the promotion of a commercial/advertisement and/or profit-making event, item, plan or service. Also, an athlete violates this rule if he/she plays in any contest (school or nonschool) under a name other than his/her own. (RE – Art. IV).

Individual competitions such as the Foot Locker, Border Battle, USATF qualifier, etc. would be allowed with the same stipulations as those indicated above. Individual athletes may not be identified with their high school team but may use their hometown.

Sportsmanship/Verification Form

WI Adaptations to NFHS Rules

Printable Version - Click here to print a copy for placement in your rules book.

Adaptive/Guide Runners Athlete Information

General Nutrition Guidelines for Cross Country Runners

Cross country runners have unique fueling needs, and it is important that coaches, athletes and parents work to ensure that high school runners have a nutrition plan to complement their training plan. Adolescent runners risk being under-fueled which can be detrimental to their current and future health. This guide is designed as a concise way to aid with fueling around workouts and races. 

General Nutrition Guidelines for Cross Country Runners