Athletics

Mission Statement

Arlington Middle Schools Athletics is a developmental program that promotes the academic, physical, psychological and social growth of the student athlete.

Goals of the Middle School Athletic program focus on:

• Development of the student athlete
• Sportsmanship
• Promotion of a successful and positive experience for all

Development of the student-athlete includes but is not limited to the following areas:

1. Academic – maintaining high educational and behavioral standards in the school community they represent. Student-athletes are to think of themselves as students first and athletes second.
2. Physical – learning sport skills, improving physical conditioning, developing good health habits, and avoiding injuries
3. Psychological – learning to control their emotions and developing feelings of self-worth
4. Social – learning cooperation in a competitive context and appropriate standards of behavior

Sportsmanship includes but is not limited to:

• A passionate effort to be successful with a commitment to be fair, honest, and respectful, and honor the rules of the game
• The six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship)
• A code of conduct for student-athletes, coaches, managers, parents, fans, and administrators

Promotion of a successful and positive experience for all includes but is not limited to:

• The assurance that student-athletes are to think of themselves as students first and athletes second. Success is represented in many forms (improvement in team and individual performance, achievement of team and personal goals, etc.) and does not always equate to winning.

• Participation in student athletic activity that is fun and also a significant part of the educational program that represents the high standards of ethics and sportsmanship while developing good character.

Please note: As of April 2025, the VHSL physical form has changed, and the new version must be used moving forward.  Key Updates:

• Physicals are now valid for 14 months from the date of the doctor’s signature.
• It is the family’s responsibility to ensure the student’s physical remains current. Expired physicals will result in the student becoming ineligible midseason.
• Any physical dated after May 1, 2025, will cover the entire 2025–2026 school year.

To avoid any interruptions in eligibility, we strongly encourage all families to schedule physicals on or after May 1st each year.  📣 Reminder: Early Start to School Sports Sports will begin as early as the second week of school. Please note that the following sports rotate each school year by gender during the Fall season:

• Early Fall: Early September – Mid October
• Late Fall: Mid-October – Early December

🗓 2025–2026 School Year Sports Schedule

• Early Fall Season: Boys’ Soccer / Girls’ Ultimate
• Late Fall Season: Girls’ Soccer / Boys’ Ultimate
• Late Fall Season: Boys’ Basketball
• Winter Season (January – March): Girls’ Basketball

Sports Participation Requirements

• In order to participate/tryout student athletes must have a current sports physical exam form (VHSL) on file with the school. In addition, students also need to be in good academic standing.
• The physical exam must be dated after May 1st of the current school year (2025).
• The Athletic Participation Agreement must be signed before trying out for a sports team. (See link to form below)
• Eligibility forms are required for participants – Student athletes must be passing each of their core classes in order to participate in after-school sports.
• Tryouts and practices take place after school from 2:45 PM to 4:05 PM
• Sports buses depart WMS promptly at 2:30 for ALL away games. Players who are not at door 14 at 2:30 will be left at WMS.
• Late buses will be provided for student bus riders staying after school. Late buses depart WMS at 4:15pm
• If you have any questions, please call/email Ms. Hogwood ([email protected]) at 703-228-2446.
• Optional Student Accident Insurance

All Students Must Have a current physical (all five pages, pages are front to back) on the First Day of Tryouts, dated 5/1/2025 (of current year) or after.

All athletes trying out for a WMS sports team will be asked to sign in on the first day of tryouts, indicating their full names and grade level. Each athlete trying out will be assigned a number. Coaches will evaluate all athletes by their assigned numbers. Athletes invited to the 2nd or 3rd day of tryouts will see their numbers posted outside of the cafeteria on the bulletin board labeled “sports”. Final rosters will also be posted on the bulletin board outside of the cafeteria. Picked teams or final rosters will reflect the assigned number of the athlete/name.

Uniform Care and Responsibilities:

Uniforms are provided to players for specific sports teams, and it’s important for players to take good care of them throughout the six-week season.

• Responsibility for Loss or Damage: Families will be financially responsible for replacing any uniforms that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
• Uniform Pick-Up and Return: Students will pick up their uniforms from Ms. Hogwood one week before the first game and must return them one week after the last game.

Thank you!

Away Match Dismissal Notice:

For away matches, students will be dismissed from class at 2:20 PM. This dismissal time allows them to gather their belongings and catch the bus to the match location (the bus will depart outside of door 1).

Best of luck to our teams!

Tennis Schedule

• • Physical due date: 9.2.24 @ 2pm
  • Try Outs: 9.2 – 9.8 (dates may change)
  • Practice Days:
    • Monday – Thursday
    • Practice Time & Location: 2:45pm – 4:05 pm in the YHS tennis courts
  • Coach:
    • Christopher Hernandez [email protected]
  • Additional Information:

    • Tryout Criteria and Information

    • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.
    • Students will walk from WMS to YHS for tryouts, practices and home matches. They will walk back to WMS from YHS for the late bus. Please bring a can of unopened tennis balls to tryouts

Boys’ Soccer Schedule

• • Physical due date: 9.2.25 @ 2pm
  • Tryouts: 9/2 -9/8 dates may change
  • Practice Days:
    • Monday – Thursday (until game begin)
  • Practice Time & Location:
    • 2:45-4:05 pm in the WMS fields
  • Coach:
    • Mr. Treble ([email protected])
  • Additional Information:

    • WMS Girls Soccer Criteria

      • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

• Ultimate Schedule

  • Tryout dates: NONE (physicals are due: 9.26
  • Girls’ Season starts:9.8 (last day to join is 9.12
  • Boys’ Season starts: 9.20 (last day to join is 10.6)
  • Practice Days:
    • Monday – Thursday (until games begin)
  • Practice Time & Location:
    • 2:45-4:05 pm in the WMS fields
  • Coach:
    • Mr. Smolinski ([email protected])
  • Additional Info:
    • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.
    • All athletes are welcome to compete regardless of experience. Playing time will be allotted by practice attendance, enthusiasm, and ability.  All players will play in at least one game, if not more.
    • The WMS Ultimate team holds fun, personal growth and Spirit of the Game as it’s highest priorities.  We hold high expectations of our coaches, athletes, and spectators to help maintain a positive competitive environment that fosters competition but does not compromise integrity or objectivity.  Winning and losing are not a focus of what we do, we are looking to achieve at our highest level.

WMS Cheer follows the basketball schedules (Girls’ Basketball & Boys’ Basketball Schedule)

• • Physical due date: 9.5.25
  • Interest Meeting: 9.4.25
  • Mandatory Cheer Clinic:
    • 9/9, 9/10, & 9/11
  • Tryouts:
    • 9.15.25
    • Athletes will wear a white T-shirt with their tryout number displayed on the front in Duct tape, dark shorts and gym shoes and hair in a high ponytail. Athletes will receive their tryout number during the clinic. A mock tryout will be demonstrated at the cheer clinic and a rubric will be provided.
    • Please wear athletic shoes, shorts, t-shirt and hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Bow is optional.
  • Practice Days:
    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
  • Practice Time & Location:
    • 2:45-4:05 pm in the WMS gym
  • Coach:
    • Zina Herb
  • Additional Information:
    • • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to tryout. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates.
      • Cheer follows the Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball schedules

Boys’ Basketball Schedule

• Physical due date: 10.10
• Try Outs: 10.14 – 10.21
• Practice Days:
• • Monday – Thursday (drops down to two days away once games begin)
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45-4:05 pm in the WMS gym
• Coach:
  • Michael Clark ([email protected])
• Additional Information:
  • WMS Basketball Criteria 
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

Schedules are subject to change – check the school’s website to confirm day, time and location.

Girls’ Soccer Schedule 

• Physical due date: 10.17
• Try Outs: 10.22 – 10.28
• Practice Days:
• • Monday –  Thursday (drops down to two days once games begin)
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45pm- 4:05pm on the WMS fields
• Coach:
  • Chris Treble ([email protected])
• Additional Information:
  • WMS SOCCER CRITERIA 
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

Ultimate Schedule

• Tryout dates: NONE (Girls’ physicals due 9.5 & Boys’ physicals due: 9.26)
• Girls’ Season starts: 9.8 (last day to join is 9.12)
• Boys’ Season starts 9.30 (last day to join is 10.6)
• Practice Days:
  • Monday – Thursday (until games begin)
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45-4:05 pm in the WMS fields
• Coach:
  • Mr. Smolinski ([email protected])
• Additional Info:
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.
  • All athletes are welcome to compete regardless of experience. Playing time will be allotted by practice attendance, enthusiasm, and ability.  All players will play in at least one game, if not more.
  • The WMS Ultimate team holds fun, personal growth and Spirit of the Game as it’s highest priorities.  We hold high expectations of our coaches, athletes, and spectators to help maintain a positive competitive environment that fosters competition but does not compromise integrity or objectivity.  Winning and losing are not a focus of what we do, we are looking to achieve at our highest level.

Girls’ Basketball Schedule

• Physical due date: TBA
• Try Outs: TBA
• Practice Days:
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45 – 4:05 pm in the WMS gym
• Coach:
  • Michael Clark ([email protected]) & Jerome Nelson ([email protected])
• Additional Information:
  • WMS Basketball Criteria 
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

Wrestling Schedule

• Physical due date: TBA
• Try Outs: NONE
• Practice starts: 1.5.26
• Practice Days:
  • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (once Wrestling matches begin, students will practice Monday-Wednesday)
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45pm – 4:05 pm in the WMS Auxiliary gym
• Coach:
  • Andrew Gavin [email protected]
• Additional Information:
  • • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

Swim Schedule

• Physical due date: TBA(swim google form)
• Try Outs: Not required (students must be able to swim the length of the pool without stopping)
• Season starts: TBA 
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45pm – 4:00 pm YHS pool (schedule) (students will walk to YHS pool for practice, if students are taking the late bus home, they will walk back to WMS to catch the bus)
  • Practice Schedule
• Coaches:
  • Maggie Campion [email protected]
  • Caroline Clontz [email protected]
• Additional Information:
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.
  • Students will walk from WMS to YHS for practices and home matches. They will walk back to WMS from YHS for the late bus

WMS Dive Schedule

• Physical due date: TBA
• Season start date: TBA
• Team requirements:
  • Divers must have 4 dives to join the team (Dive google form)
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45pm – 4:00 pm YHS pool schedule (students will walk to YHS pool for practice, if students are taking the late bus home, they will walk back to WMS to catch the bus)
• Coach:
  • Amy Kress ([email protected])

• Additional Information:
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to join. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.
  • Students will walk from WMS to YHS for practices and home matches. They will walk back to WMS from YHS for the late bus.

Track & Field Schedule

• Physical due date: TBA
• Tryout dates: TBA
• Practice Days:
• • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Practice Time & Location:
  • 2:45-4:05 pm WMS fields and YHS track (long jump)
• Coach:
  • Mr. Treble ([email protected])
  • Mr. Johnson
• Additional Information:
  • Please bring the complete physical and athletic agreement form to Ms. Hogwood to tryout. Physical forms (complete physical consists of five pages) must be dated after 5/1/25 for them to be valid for the 2025-2026 school year. Electronic copies will not be accepted (hard copies only). Please check the season start and physical due dates below for each sport.

This google form is for the WMS students to complete.

As 8th grade students you are eligible to participate in the High School sports that are not offered at WMS. APS High Schools require students/parents to complete the registration online. You are not currently enrolled in YHS (any APS High Schools), therefore, the YHS athletic staff will need to get you started, by adding you to their system. I will share this information with the YHS athletic staff.

Please complete the google form if you are interested in participating in one of the following sports this coming spring (greens days for out of season conditioning too).

Upcoming Spring Sports:

Boys’ LAX (JV/Freshman)

Girls’ LAX (JV/Freshman)

Softball (JV)

Baseball (JV)

Crew

Fall Sports (these sports are currently in season, but will hold green and conditioning days after their season has ended):

Volleyball (JV/Freshman)

Field Hockey (JV/Freshman)

If you are already participating in a Fall sport, you do not need to complete this form.

https://yorktownsports.org/main/adnews/ID/55888538.

Here is the link to the YHS announcement for online registration

Page 3 of the VHSL physical MUST be completed by the doctor and uploaded to the registration portal.