Who are the Cornhusker Flyers?

The Cornhusker Flyers Track Club is a private organization established in 1977 to promote the sports of track & field and cross country in the Omaha metropolitan area through age group competition.  The Flyers are a member of USA Track & Field's Nebraska Association, which includes all of Nebraska's 93 counties.

What is Age Group track?

Age group track is competition based on an athlete's age at the end of the current calendar year.  The age group divisions for competition in 2023 are as follows:
• 17-18 Boys/Girls – born in 2005 or 2006 (or in 2004 on/after July 31)
• 15-16 Boys/Girls – born in 2007 or 2008
• 13-14 Boys/Girls – born in 2009 or 2010
• 11-12 Boys/Girls – born in 2011 or 2012
• 9-10 Boys/Girls – born in 2013 or 2014
• 8 & Under Boys/Girls – born in 2015 or later
Example: A child turns 13 on February 15, 2023 and their friend turns 13 on November 15, 2023.  Since they were each born in 2010, USATF considers them both to be 13 years old – and in the 13-14 age group – for the 2023 season, even though the one born in November would actually be 12 during the season and not turn 13 until after the season is over.

What is USA Track & Field?

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body of track & field.  Any athlete that wants to participate with the Flyers must first become a member of USATF.  A USATF membership application must include proof-of-age verification, such as a copy of a birth or baptismal certificate, state or military I.D. card, or driver's license.  The athlete is encouraged to apply for their USATF membership as soon as possible to ensure that they have their USATF membership card in hand before their first meet.  To apply for membership, go here.

What are Developmental and Junior Olympic meets?

Both Developmental and Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USATF, and the same events are offered in both.  Kids in the 17-18, 15-16, and 13-14 age divisions may compete in up to four (4) events, while kids in the 11-12, 9-10, and 8 & Under age divisions may compete in up to three (3) events.  Combined event competitions (e.g. triathlon, pentathlon) do not count against an athlete's event limit.

Developmental meets are open to all USATF-member athletes.  The entry procedure for each Developmental meet will be explained at club practices, usually within a week or two of the meet.  Any USATF-member athlete may register for and compete at any Developmental meet.  All meets on the competition schedule are Developmental meets except those that include the phrase "Junior Olympic".

Junior Olympic (or "JO") meets are based on a stair-stepping program of qualifying meets, leading to the National Junior Olympic meet.  The advancement procedure looks like this:
• Association JO meet – The top eight (8) in each individual and combined event and top four (4) in each relay event from the Association JO meet qualify for the Regional JO meet.
• Regional JO meet – The top five (5) in each individual and relay event and the top two (2) in each combined event from the Region JO meet qualify for the National JO meet.

When are the meets and how do I enter them?

Our 2023 meet schedule is here.  An athlete wishing to compete in any of these meets as a Cornhusker Flyer must first become a member of the club.  After practices begin in early April, the competition season starts in late April, with meets held generally each weekend through the end of July.  As information on each of these meets becomes available to the club, it will be relayed to the athletes during the team meeting that precedes Monday practices.  Note: April and May meets are usually open only to the younger age groups (13-14, 11-12, 9-10, 8 & Under), since the older age groups may not compete until their high school season has completed.

Before an athlete can sign up for a meet, they must have a season paid membership and the meet must contain events in their age division.  At each meet, kids in the 17-18, 15-16, and 13-14 age divisions may compete in up to four (4) events, and kids in the 11-12, 9-10, and 8 & Under age divisions may compete in up to three (3) events.  If an athlete wishes to run on one or more relay events, they have the option to select an alternate event in case they are not entered into the relay.  Contact Coach Rainbolt to sign up for a meet, letting him know the athlete's name, gender, date of birth, and desired events.

What about practices?

The Flyers track practice season begins in early April and ends in late July.  Practices are at Millard South High School, 147th & Q Streets (map), and will usually be every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Check our web site's Calendar page for the most up-to-date schedule.

The 6:00 p.m. starting time is the actual time our workouts begin.  Please arrive at the track 10-15 minutes early to warm up and stretch so that you're ready to begin your workout at 6:00.  Most practices will last between 60 and 75 minutes.  Monday practices are preceded by a team meeting, where the coaches will share important club news, such as information on upcoming meets and to recognize recent athlete accomplishments.  Parents are also encouraged to attend these team meetings.  If an athlete needs to leave practice early for any reason, it is their responsibility to inform the head coach at the beginning of practice.  In the event of inclement weather, each athlete's parents should make their own decision on whether to come to practice.  Practices will normally be held but may be cancelled at the last minute if the weather is a problem.  If practice is called off early enough, we will post a notice on the club's web site, Facebook page, Team App, and e-mail all parents and athletes whose addresses we have on file.

The Flyers' basic philosophy is that our coaches cannot help an athlete unless they are at practice.  Our practices can be demanding, so if an athlete is not coming to practice to work hard, then the Flyers may not be for them.  We'd like the athlete to attend practice as often as possible, but also encourage them to participate in other sports that they enjoy.  If the athlete needs to miss a practice for any reason, the coaches can give them a workout to do on their own.  Ultimately, the harder the athlete works in practice, and on their own outside of practice, the better they will perform in meets.

What about uniforms?

The Flyers will provide a jersey and team T-shirt.  Both will be issued to each club member after a $50 uniform deposit check, payable to "Cornhusker Flyers Track Club", is submitted to the Uniform Coordinator.  Club members are expected to adhere to the Flyers Uniform Agreement policies.  The jersey is the property of the Flyers and must be returned to the club after the season is over.  If the jersey is returned in a comparable condition as when it was issued, the deposit check will either be returned or destroyed.  Flyer T-shirts are also issued with the jersey, but are the athlete's to keep, and so need not be returned.

The Flyers uniform is nationally recognized and club members wear this distinctive uniform with pride.  Athletes will represent the Flyers by wearing the uniform at all USATF meets, including any award, opening, and closing ceremonies, and as also directed by the head coach.  Competition shorts and shoe choice/style is up to the athlete, but the club does prefer that the shorts be navy/dark blue in color, although black is also acceptable.  Parents are also encouraged to represent the club at meets by wearing a Flyers T-shirt, available for purchase from the Uniform Coordinator, or you can purchase your own custom apparel here.

What are the parents' roles in the Flyers?

Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved in the support of the Flyers.  The club welcomes parents to attend our practices.  This gives you the opportunity to meet the parents of other athletes, and, by being at practice, you will get the same information we give the athletes during Monday’s pre-practice team meetings.  We would ask, however, that parents watch the practices from the bleachers.  Also, we encourage parents to become USATF members by purchasing a USATF card, which can be used to gain free admission into all USATF-sanctioned meets within the association.

Are the Flyers more than just meets and practices?

Yes!  Our club motto is "The Family of Champions".  Lifelong friendships between athletes, and between adults, have been fostered through participation and involvement with the Flyers.  Club members and their families are encouraged to sit together and support our athletes at meets.  Parents get to know each other while sitting in the bleachers during practice.  The club will host an Awards Night at the end of the season, tentatively scheduled this year for Sunday, August 21st.  Check our web site's Calendar page for additional information on any club activities as it becomes available.

How much does it cost to join the Flyers?

The 2023 track & field season membership fee is $200.  This includes:
• Club T-shirt
• Coaching
• Facilities
• Entry fees for all our meets (including regionals and nationals)

For families with more than one child joining, a compounding $25 membership discount is available for each additional child.  For example, the first child would pay their regular membership fee, the second child would receive a $25 discount from their membership fee, the third child would receive a $50 discount, the fourth child would receive a $75 discount, and so on.  No athlete will be denied membership based solely on financial considerations.  Please contact the head coach regarding payment options.

No one need sign up for club membership if they are unsure if the Flyers are right for them.  We encourage newcomers to participate in a few practices first to see if it is something they want to do.  Before competing in a meet as a Flyer, however, the athlete must first become a member by paying the membership fee.

What do I need to do to join the Flyers?

If you want to join for the upcoming season, here's what we need:
1.  Completed club registration form for each athlete
2.  One check for each family, payable to "Cornhusker Flyers" for the family's total athlete club membership fee(s)
3.  One check for each athlete, payable to "Cornhusker Flyers" for the athlete's $50 uniform deposit (with the athlete's name in the "Memo" field)
4.  Current USATF membership for each athlete

Give #1-#2 to Coach Rainbolt at practice.  Give #3 to Katie Rainbolt at practice.  Do #4 online.

How can I stay up to date on Flyer happenings?

The best way to stay up to date is to attend the team meetings that precede every Monday practice.  Any upcoming meet, practice, or other club activity information will be distributed or discussed there.  Another way is to check the Flyers web site, Facebook page, and Team App for updates. 

I'm in track at school.  Can I participate with the Flyers?

High school athletes may neither participate in our practices nor compete in our meets until after their last meet of their school season.  Junior high and middle school athletes may participate in our practices and compete in our meets during their school season, but only with the permission of their school track coach.