Athletes at WJ Make Leap from JV to Varsity

Junior and Cross Country runner Carter May surges forward at a competitive Oatlands Invitational.

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Milsted, Mocorunning.com

Junior and Cross Country runner Carter May surges forward at a competitive Oatlands Invitational.

Kevin O'Leary, Online Sports Editor

MCPS is historically known for its competitive sports, from football to volleyball. However, this high-end competition does not come easily, as many athletes begin their sports careers as junior varsity (JV) participants with less experience in high school athletics. With continued effort, commitment and desire to strive, these young talents bloom into varsity stars. At WJ, many athletes have achieved success through an intense commitment to training, dedication and eagerness to strive and reach the varsity level.

Junior Carter May, who participates on the Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track teams, began his running career confused but inspired. After competing in a relatively low-key cross country environment in middle school, May was unsure of what to expect on the high school level.

“In middle school, we only ran three times a week. The furthest we would run would be about six miles,” May said.

At his second practice with the WJ Cross Country team, May embarked on an eight-mile run with the varsity team, a feat he never thought he would be able to accomplish. By the end of that practice, May knew running was the sport for him. He recognized that while it would be a difficult path, attaining varsity status was easily possible for him.

“It was a great year for me because I really was able to find my stride in a sport that I grew to love,” he said.

Although he was only a JV athlete at the time, he began training with varsity athletes over the summer in between his freshman and sophomore year, and during his sophomore year. This intense training helped May to realize how much potential he possessed.

“At the beginning of the season, I started to work hard and train with some of the elite athletes on the team and they were really instrumental in my transition into a competitive level of running,” said May.

With a strong work ethic, May earned varsity status on the Cross Country team his sophomore year, and has maintained that success. In the 2014-2015 cross country season, May capitalized on strong performances throughout, including a seventh place (third on the team) finish at the Bull Run Invitational in Hereford, Md. May looks to continue this success and maintain his work ethic at the varsity level throughout indoor and outdoor track, where he hopes to break 4:40 in the 1600, and 10:00 for the 3200 meter run.

Junior Patrick Winter, who also participates on all three running teams, began his high school running career planning to do whatever it took to become a varsity athlete.

“At the JV level I learned how to work hard. If I was 19th on the team, I would focus every day on beating the 18th guy. When I moved [up] to 18th I would aim to beat the 17th and so on until I made it to varsity,” said Winter.

Winter also said competing on the JV level helps athletes to develop an understanding of how serious and competitive varsity running can be, and allows them to learn the ropes of competition.

“At the varsity level, competition is much more serious. It’s a different [mentality] being  a varsity runner. You have to be aggressive and confident while remaining aware of your abilities,” he said.

In the 2014-2015 Cross Country season, Winter was a pivotal member of the varsity squad, helping the team finish sixth at the 4A state championships. Winter’s first goal in Indoor Track is to run under 4:40 in a 1600, but would also like to break 2:05 in the 800 meter run. Winter looks to maintain his difficult training regiment and improve on his personal records from last year’s track season, which were 4:46 for the 1600, and 2:07 for the 800.

In addition to work ethic, being one of the top athletes on a JV team may tremendously boost one’s confidence as one moves forward. Junior Lewis Kirwan, a varsity participant on last year’s boys lacrosse squad, rose to the top of the JV squad his freshman year and used that experience to propel him onto the varsity lacrosse team.

“Being one of the best players on JV gave me confidence in my abilities to succeed and progress to that next level,” said Kirwan.

Junior Charlie Ali, currently a varsity member of the basketball team, is yet another example of a JV athlete-turned-star varsity contributor, with hours spent training and staying active. Though Ali spent multiple years on an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), he stays fit and on top of his game by spending multiple hours in the off-season training and participating in other sports.

After two years on the JV squad, Ali’s methods of training have payed great dividends as he now leads the varsity basketball team in scoring. After a successful season on JV, Ali looks to propel an inexperienced varsity lineup to success.

Many athletes enter their high school careers as intimidated and confused JV athletes believing that becoming a varsity athlete is out of the realm of possibility for them. Or they participate half-heartedly as a JV player , thinking they will eventually attain a guaranteed varsity spot. However, work ethic and practice are ultimately necessary for athlete to make the step from JV to varsity. Even the leasttalented athletes are fully capable of blooming into varsity stars with a little bit of time and hard work. This year’s varsity cross country team had seven runners in total, all of whom began their careers as JV runners. The varsity basketball squad’s five starters also all started at the JV level. At WJ, attaining varsity status can be achieved with passion and determination.

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