Graduating 8th Graders: Last Middle School Season

The 2024 fall season was the last season for our 8th-grade volleyball, football,  cross country, and cheerleading members as middle schoolers. As the seasons come to an end, we interviewed many players to hear about their experiences.  

Volleyball is split up into two teams based on skill level, the A team and the B team. For both teams, there have been memorable moments. Savannah Kronke, a player on the B team, said that her favorite memory was “the top flight tournament, where [they] had the picnic.” It was a great chance for the players to bond

On the other hand, Brooklyn Le from the Wredling A Team recalls more upsetting memories such as “losing a game when we all know we tried our best.”

However, both players share in common their heavy-heartedness that this is their last season as middle schoolers. They feel connected to their teammates and are sad to play for different high school teams in the future.

Overall, Wredling’s volleyball teams have had a great season. The 8th-grade volleyball A team came 2nd in the gold bracket of their tournament. They even won their first-ever cross-town classic trophy and ended the regular season in first place! 

Moving on to football, we interviewed two players from varsity, Connor Guerin and Micheal Mayer. Unfortunately, Connormissed out most of the season because of an injury where he fell on his wrist during a game. It is upsetting that he missed out on his first season as a varsity player since he had just moved up from JV. He was “pretty hyped for the season,” as he said himself. Micheal also suffered an injury. Lucky for him, it was minor and he was still able to play for most of the season. He said that it was great seeing “how we improved as a team, and being able to see that from the first practice to the last.”

Wredling’s 8th-grade varsity football team made it to the championships after defeating Thompson, our rivals, but unfortunately lost to Geneva.

We can’t forget about those who cheer Wredling’s football team on from the sidelines! Simran Patel, a first-time cheerleader for Wredling, has already experienced some embarrassing moments, such as “falling during stunts.” Nevertheless, the unwavering support our cheerleaders show for our sports teams makes up for these moments. Simran is also looking forward to the cheer competition, and we hope to see our cheerleaders being cheered on there for a change. 

The last fall sport we interviewed a member from was cross country. Gabriella Ascher, a varsity runner who made it to sectionals where Wredling placed sixth out of 15 schools, has been running for Wredling’s Cross Country since sixth grade. She is “proud of all the girls for their hard work in sectionals” but also “devastated that [she is] leaving the team [she] ran with for three years.

All these players, although from different sports, share the common bittersweet feeling for the season-ending.  Middle school sports have taught them many valuable lessons that will prepare them for future teams, especially in high school. Wredling wouldn’t be what it is now without our sports, and we wish all the athletes good luck in their next season as freshmen.