Look at what Joe Newton does at York regarding groups. He does set them into groups but it is based on ability. All the real fast guys are together. From what I've seen from them, this creates an atmosphere of positive competition with those guys just out of the top 7. The incoming freshman see that core group of fast guys and they want to be a part of it. Obviously York does have an amazing tradition and reputation to work off of but I think this concept of the freshman envying the upperclassmen is what contributes most to their success. I can speak from my own experience that when freshmen first come into high school there's usually an identity crisis. They're trying to fins out who they are and where they fit in. You don't need to have flashy uniforms and cheerleaders with gift baskets to make running seem attractive because not everyone fits into that type of group. In fact, the best runners are usually a little different and don't fit in like that. I remember the thing that made cross country the most attractive to me was the fact that they practiced outside when everyone else thought the weather was too harsh. Turns out this just triggered a hard-working side of myself that had never been cultivated before. I'm sure there are plenty of kids like me in your school It's just a matter of finding them and bringing out the best in them.