Whether middle school students should be allowed to try out for high school sports has always been a controversial issue in Westhampton Beach. Should exceptional athletes be given the opportunity to move up, or should they be forced to wait until high school to show their talent?

Bo Feltske, an 8^th grader, tried out for the girls’ varsity tennis team this year, and made the cut. “I tried out for the team because I love tennis and I needed to be on a higher level than my age group. The middle school team wasn’t challenging enough, and I wanted to try something new,” claimed Bo. Making the decision to try out for a Varsity sport must be very difficult for a 7^th or 8^th grader.

Bo recommends that, “everyone should go for it, and try out if they really want to. They shouldn’t be shy or nervous because in the end, if they make the team, they’ll have a great time!” Bo said that her favorite part about being on the team was “the fun practices with teammates and all the pasta parties.”

Coach Ski, the girls’ and boys’ varsity tennis coach, claimed that he’s had four middle schoolers on his team in the past five years. These included, Bo Feltske, Laura Halsey, Riley Smith, and Kevin Cino. He believes, “athletes should be given the chance to tryout out for varsity only if they’ve met the criteria needed. This includes being viewed playing their sport by the coach, and passing multiple physical tests. Also, the coach should only bring up the player if he or she believes that the player would make a contribution to the team.”

As of last year, requirements to try out for high school sports have become stricter. Mrs. Masterson said, “It’s called selection classification, and it’s only for exceptional middle school athletes. Last year, things got out of hand in our district and many others. Now, not just any athlete can try out.”

Athletic Director Mrs. Masterson helped to explain the process that athletes must go through to be approved to try out for a varsity sports. First, a coach is given a time line to see Mrs. Masterson to ask to selectively classify an athlete. She brings this request to a committee made up of Mrs. Miller, Mr. Radday, and Mr. Herr. The coach will make a case about why their athlete should be brought up to varsity or junior varsity. After the request is approved, either Mrs. Masterson or the coach will go to the parents and get their permission for the child’s classification. The athlete must then see Dr. Dempsey for a maturity test, and pass a physical test with Mrs. Masterson.

With all of these limitations and changes, students who should be moved up will be.  After passing multiple tests, and proving their talent, these athletes deserve to have the chance to try out.