Danielle Ramos
Once winter sets in throughout Anne Arundel County, students will switch from fall sports to winter athletics. Though winter is a time when outdoor activities slow down and people stay indoors more often, winter sports will be just beginning to heat up. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular winter high school sports in the region.
Basketball
As one of the most popular winter sports, basketball draws students from all corners of the county. The sport’s easy access and exciting, fast-paced games make it a top pick for both students and parents. Most high schools offer boys’ and girls’ teams in both junior varsity and varsity, including Arundel, Chesapeake, North County, Broadneck, South River, Annapolis, Old Mill, Severna, Meade and Glen Burnie public schools.
Wrestling
Wrestling mixes developing personal skills with team support, helping student wrestlers build both discipline and strength. One of the highlights is that the often intense matches make it exciting. Most county high schools have boys’ and coed options for junior varsity and varsity. Schools such as Chesapeake, North County, South River, Glen Burnie, Arundel, Old Mill, Severna Park and Meade have wrestling programs.
Indoor Track
Track is a year-round sport, so fall runners can just take their game indoors during
the winter. Track strengthens cardio, physical strength and flexibility. It also builds discipline, mental toughness, teamwork skills and perseverance. Most high schools offer indoor track, though options for boys’, girls’, coed and varsity and junior varsity track may differ from school to school.
Swimming
Swimming is another sport that remains strong through the winter months. It can give students a chance to focus on personal records as well as team relay races. It’s a good choice for students who love the water and want a year-round athletic challenge. Like with indoor track, most high schools provide swimming programs, but the availability of options like boys’ teams, girls’ teams, coed teams and varsity or junior varsity levels can vary
between schools.
Cheerleading
Winter cheerleading is a big hit in winter sports and usually pairs up with basketball season. Students who cheer on their teams at games and competitions possess a fun blend of athleticism and school spirit. Severna Park, Glen Burnie, North County, Chesapeake, Broadneck and Arundel public schools offer various cheerleading options including competitive cheer and coed sideline cheer in varsity and junior varsity.
Bowling
Bowling is a great sport for teens since it’s highly inclusive and caters to students of all skill levels, both beginners and experienced players. It also poses a lower risk of injury compared to more physically demanding sports, so even non-athletes can enjoy the game. Most schools have boys’, girls’ and coed options, and some schools like Severna Park, Glen Burnie and Annapolis offer unified bowling.
Ice Hockey
An ideal winter sport, ice hockey is high-intensity and boosts fitness, endurance and coordination while teaching resilience. It’s also a fun way for teens to develop cooperation and teamwork. Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn offers various levels of ice hockey for both boys and girls.
At the middle school and elementary school level, winter sports offerings vary by school and might not be as extensive as at the high school level. However, many middle schools have basketball, indoor track and swimming, as well as intramural sports.
Like all sports, winter sports can give young people a great athletic experience, teach them valuable skills and help them make lasting friends. Now is a good time to look into what your child or teen may be interested in and see whether they would like to sign up.
