By Elisabeth Rainge
Wayland Post Contributor
Student participation in Wayland High School sports programs stands out. Over 300 student athletes per season are competing for WHS in their chosen sport. With sports ranging from cheerleading to wrestling and sailing to skiing, the school offers sports in each of the three competition seasons. The number of students competing in the current school year ranged from 325 to 390: fall 2024, 390; winter 2025, 325 and spring 2025, 341 student athletes
Some students play sports for three seasons, others for one or two. While some students arrive at WHS with experience in a variety of sports, others do not. Some teams are highly competitive with tryouts, where only selected players are invited to join the team for the season, while others actively welcome first timers.
Many current seniors, when looking back at their high school sports career, had one top memory in common – friendships and strongly encouraged rising ninth graders to check out WHS sports. “I wish that someone told me to play sports and how rewarding it is to be with your team,” said one indoor and outdoor track competitor. This perspective is shared by many current and recent WHS athletes.
Trying different sports especially during elementary and middle school years is strongly encouraged by coaches and students alike. Local youth programs are volunteer-run groups that offer kids and families a way to learn more about sports. Wayland Youth Soccer, WAYS, Wayland-Weston Youth Football, Wayland Junior Warriors, Wayland Youth Basketball, Wayland Youth Lacrosse and, increasingly, the youth Field Hockey program are locally accessible for many families. Another introductory program, the Wayland Middle School Volleyball team was especially popular this spring.
Competitive teams like girls and boys’ soccer programs see a large number of potential players at the pre-season info meetings in June and again at tryouts in late August.
The “no-cut” teams and larger teams can be a great way to get involved for many students. Examples of larger teams include Indoor and Outdoor Track, Swimming and Football. Some larger teams can see more than 100 students participating in after school practices.
No cut teams like cross country running, cross country skiing and track determine varsity team members based on race results. Curious students can get involved with these teams while handling a heavy academic load, tutoring appointments, performing arts or a serious club commitment such as debate and robotics. As the WHS Cross Country Team FAQ states “These are an important part of the high school experience and an athlete shouldn’t have to choose between participation in cross country and these activities.”
Wayland competes in the Dual County League against peers and larger schools like Weston, Bedford, Lincoln-Sudbury, Concord-Carlisle, Acton-Boxboro, Newton South, Boston Latin and Cambridge Rindge and Latin.
For Fall 2025, sports tryouts will begin officially on Friday August 15 for Football and Golf and on Monday August 18 for soccer, field hockey, cross country running, crew, cheerleading and girls volleyball (boys volleyball is a spring season sport at WHS).
For more info, rising ninth graders and families plus those new to WHS should attend the Sports Information Night at WHS on Thursday June 5 at 7 p.m. More info can be found through Wayland Boosters, an all-volunteer support organization dedicated to supporting WHS/WMS student athletes.
