Gearing up for fall sports

Audrey Shabelski
WHS Class of 24

(8/2022) Walkersville High School is gearing up for another successful season of fall sports. With students participating in cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, and football, one can only wonder how they are preparing and what to look out for this upcoming season.

Last year's cross-country team had a busy schedule, with both men and women having nine meets between September and November. Three of these meets were invitationals: Frank Keyser, Rebel, and the 38th Annual Brunswick Zumbach, all larger and more competitive meets. The team finished their season out with the West Regions Championships, FCPS Cross Country Championships, and CMC Conference Championships. This upcoming season they will once again participate in the same invitationals and are hoping once again to go to championships.

The field hockey team is also looking for a promising year. Running from September to November, there are many games to fit in. Rising junior Samantha Teikin said about last year’s team, "It was really fun since practices were back to normal. We got more time together as a team. We won regional championships against Linganore…but it was definitely hard at times, because some of the games were only lost by one goal. Overall we had a great time."

Teikin also hopes that the team will make state championships this season and that there will be enough players for varsity and junior varsity since the last season mostly consisted of seniors. Currently, players are hard at work with pre-season practices.

Of all factors that bind Walkersville students together, acceptance and belonging among teammates stand out. "My favorite part of field hockey is definitely the people,," Teikin said. "It's a really great atmosphere--everyone just loves the sport…and has that passion to give it all they've got. It really helps to drive you and want to improve in the sport."

Walkersville High’s golf team plays from August through October. In 2021, they competed in 17 games and participated in CMC Championships. This upcoming season is less busy than usual with only 13 matches; however, they are planning to return to championships and participate in the FCPS tournament.

The boys varsity soccer team won three out of seven games throughout September and October 2021. This upcoming season, they will strive to win even more games and perhaps lengthen their season with playoffs. Girls varsity soccer played 14 games in 2021, winning five and ending in a tie for one. It’s safe to say that all of the teams are hard at work and doing their best for the 2022 season.

JV girls soccer player Ethel Wright said, "Over the summer our coaches have provided many different forms of training like speed endurance. Right now, I’m doing the Hood College soccer summer league. During the fall we have two hour practices every day… I'm usually able to maintain my schedule due to the fact that I find ways to complete my homework and still get enough rest for game days."

Wright and other students have appreciated the outlet soccer has provided as well as its ability to foster long-lasting connections. "My favorite thing about playing soccer for WHS is being able to play the sport I love with people that look out for one another and help each other grow. I’m hoping to improve my skills in soccer and build a better team atmosphere," said Wright.

The varsity volleyball schedule last year was filled with seven games spanning September through November. Although the team struggled, they hope for a more successful season this year with up to 16 games against the likes of Urbana, Governor Thomas Johnson, and Middletown High School.

Cheerleading is getting a head start for the fall, participating in pre-season conditioning at the start of August and moving slowly into practices starting right as the school year starts. Many of the cheerleaders are excited moving forward with the sport and have had great experiences with it in the past.

Rising senior Ayanna Hoffman also said, "I think the team last year was great! We had a lot of underclassmen that were new to the sport and some returning and everyone really gave great effort."

Rising junior Hannah Koonce said, "After being forced by Covid to take a break from extracurricular activities, having the opportunity to cheer again last fall season was refreshing. I immediately felt welcomed back into a community of friendship and teamwork. I'm excited to see what this next season has in store for us and hope I make the team!"

Certainly the main star of the event, varsity football won seven games out of 11 during last year’s season. Football has a place in many hearts, especially the students of Walkersville.

Laila Harris, a rising senior and avid football fan says, "Football games build a sense of community. We as students should be proud of our team and school and that’s why we go to cheer them on…I’m looking forward to making posters for the games and going all out on the themes. It’s my last year and I want to go out with a bang while also showing my Walkersville pride!"

Varsity football has eight games planned for the upcoming season starting September and will be playing all throughout October, so be on the lookout for another sweeping season and an excellent showcase of Walkersville Pride.

The sports themselves are not the only big news for Walkersville High Schools Athletics. After athletic director Michael Mummert’s retirement, the school will see Sonny Joseph step in to fill the role. As an athletic director for 14 years at Linganore, he arrives with plenty of experience. "The thing that I know about Walkersville Athletics is that the students are going to end up being well prepared and having a tremendous work ethic," Joseph said. "I know that this year they will be very well coached, they’ll work extremely hard, they’ll represent the high school very well, and they’ll represent the community very well."

Walkersville students’ strong community bonds make it unique during a time of much divide. They look forward to full bleachers and excited cheers from proud Walkersville supporters, whether they are new or have been Walkersville Lions for many years.