Author: Ayza Ali

By Abby Ryu ‘26

While still only a club, Wyoming Seminary track and field has quickly ballooned into one of the most popular new sports on campus. The team has significantly grown from around 10-15 people last year to around 50 this year. When asked about what might’ve caused this new influx in members, veteran runner Imane Sabir ‘26 theorized “I think we had a really good group of first years come up who were already committed to track”. Coinciding with this influx in participation, the team has also participated in more competitions this year, both invitationals as well as dual meets against schools in the area like Lake Lehman and Tunkhannock. So far, the team has been very successful at meets; running-wise, many students have consistently dropped time and achieved personal bests. Notably, the team has also placed in several meets for throwing thanks to twins Kaeleen and Sloane Dougherty ‘28. 

These impressive results were not achieved by chance; they reflect hours of training and hard work. Since the school does not have an actual track, the team uses its environment to their advantage, hosting the bulk of their practices in Kirby Park. However, unlike most sports where the entire team practices together, the track team runs (haha!) multiple separate practices. Students are separated in these practices based on their event – sprinting, long distance, throwing, and jumping. The only track and field events that no SEM student participated in are pole vaulting and javelin throwing, as those are both very specialized and technical events that need specific coaches. 

The team is a very eclectic group of people, from those who have been doing track seriously their whole lives, cross country runners running track for the first time, other athletes trying to stay fit, as well as people who just want to fulfill their PE credit. When asked about the team culture this year compared to last year, Aiden Benetos ‘26 gushed, “As someone who has been involved with the club for 4 years, it’s been incredible to see the club grow, and I hope that the accrued interest will motivate the school to be a full varsity team!” Regardless of what might become of Wyoming Seminary track and field, it is awesome to see different groups of people coming together to pursue a similar passion, and certainly reflective of the larger SEM experience!

By Nicole Zhecheva ‘27

Wrestling is more than just a sport – it is a test of strength, discipline, and determination. Every practice and tournament pushes athletes to their physical and mental limits. Wyoming Seminary’s wrestling team works hard every day, balancing intense training, academic responsibilities, and the pressure of competition. Their hard work and dedication are clearly reflected in their achievements, as once again they have proved themselves to be one of the best teams in the nation, showing that success comes through perseverance and constant effort.

Training is at the core of their success. Throughout the year, practices are very intense and demanding, but well-structured, focused on technique, strength, and overall improvement, which helps to prepare our athletes physically and mentally for their events.

Even though wrestling is an individual sport, teamwork and coaching also play a crucial role in each athlete’s development. Teammates constantly support and push each other to reach their full potential, creating a competitive but motivating environment. Coaches Will Weber, Patrick Heck, Joe Rovelli, and Mike Tereska provide strong guidance and go out of their way to help the team in every possible way. They not only help athletes improve their skills and build their discipline and confidence, but also keep them motivated by reminding each wrestler what they are working toward every single day.

Wrestling also comes with significant challenges. One of the most difficult aspects for many wrestlers is weight management, which requires constant discipline and sacrifice. Dedicated wrestler Marcus Heck ‘27 shared, “Sem wrestles a very tough schedule all year around, and with that tough schedule comes the weight cuts, and for me, the part where I felt like giving up the most was making weight every time. What made me want to keep going, though, was the unwavering support that my teammates, coaches, and parents gave me through it all. No matter how I was feeling they all were there for me whenever I needed it, and that is what helped me the most.”

Despite these challenges, the team continues to achieve major accomplishments in every tournament they compete in. For example, Remy Laflamme ‘28 shared, “My biggest accomplishment this year was winning Prep Nationals and Girls High School Showcase, and my goal is to place top 3 at world team trials”. Some of the most difficult tournaments included “Ironman” and “Powerade”. 

The wrestling team continues to demonstrate what it takes to compete at a high level. Through discipline, teamwork, and persistence, they not only succeed on the mat but also build resilience and character that extends far beyond the sport. It is great to see their hard work being recognized. We wish our wrestlers the best of luck and look forward to seeing their continued progress and achievements next year and in many more seasons to come!