This is the largest 7th grade class WRMS has seen in a long time, with over 500 students. Because of the increase in class size, WRMS has seen an increase in students participating in sports as well. There are just over 300 kids on the track team this year. With so many kids signing up for track and field, some may be questioning if a large track team helps the athletes or takes away from their experience. Oliver Haberman, 7th grader, supports having a large team.“Lots of people can support you to make your team better.” Haberman said. Lily Dunn, 8th grade, had a different perspective. Dunn said “We don’t get to do as much at practice and don’t get to do as much with the coaches.”

Coach Weese, 7th and 8th grade shot put coach, shared the pros and cons of having such a large track team. “It’s great having the numbers we do, but there are times where the stress hits as a coach. When I have to get through 20+ throwers in 35 minutes, that’s not a lot of time to work with the individual.” Weese said. Reasons differ from why people went out for track this year. Brooks Ballard, an 8th grader said, “I think more people want to come out to track to have fun ” He said. Hadley Rosenbaum, 7th grader shared her reason for signing up for track, “I went out for track because I like to do athletic events and I’m very competitive” Rosenbaum said.

The track team participates in many meets throughout the season. The WRMS track stars are coming up at the end of the season and their last meet is the Centennial Middle League meet on May 3rd in Manhattan.