During the IHSA State Series, the Mustangs are allowed to carry a maximum roster of 12 Men and 12 Women to each post-season meet. Although only 7 athletes race in the IHSA Regional Championships, IHSA Sectional Championships, and IHSA State Championships, all 12 athletes travel to ALL post-season meets as alternates, and get the opportunity to race alternates from other teams with the possibility of earning a Top 7 spot for the next post-season meet. The experience is priceless. 

 The Top 12 runners on the Team, also get WARM-UPS and Northside Mustangs Cross Country DUFFEL BAGS. Among other surprises, the Duffel Bags will contain an autograph copy of the book, "IN THE LONG RUN", by Florida Prep star Jordan Schilit, a book written for the High School runner by a High School runner. The Duffal Bags will also contain a copy of the DVD, "RUNNING BRAVE", autographed by Olympic 10,000m Gold Medalist, Billy Mills.

 Prior to 2008, the Mustangs never had warm-ups or Duffel bags. A special thanks to Northside Athletic director Andrew Mayer for making this possible.

 The Top 7 runners on the Team, will be determined by our first time trial. After each successive meet, warm-ups will be distributed to the Top 8, then Top 9, then Top 10, then Top 11, and then Top 12. The winners of the warm-ups will try to defend them in all meets and challenges throughout the whole season. If an athlete misses a meet, the athlete loses their warm-ups. A final determination of the Top 12 will be made after City Championships.

 At the end of the season the warm-ups will be turned in, laundered, and stored until the following year. The Top 12 athletes get to keep the Sports Duffel bags.