Soccer (Boys/Girls): Soccer tryouts are the first and second day of middle school. The season runs from September to the end of October. Players are evaluated by the soccer coach and the Athletic Director. Players are rated based on their skills and abilities in the areas of ball control, shooting, tactical skills, speed, fitness and attitude. The league is very competitive and the school team is not for inexperienced players, spots are limited. In order to participate, players must maintain their grades, as per the Athletics Participation rule on the Athletics Webpage. Players must also submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before tryouts begin.
Cross Country:
The trial run for Cross Country is 9/14 and 9/15 to determine who is on the away team. All runners are on the home team. There are no cuts, but there is a boys and girls championship run that runners must qualify for, based on times at home and away meets, in order to participate in the event. Everyone will participate in the grade race at the end of the season. Practices are a couple times a week with seven home and six away meets. The away team consists of 10 boys / 10 girls. They are chosen based on their best time from the two day trial run.
Basketball (Boys/Girls):
The boys/girls basketball team tryouts are 11/12 - 11/13. Players are evaluated by the coach along with the Athletic Director. Skill assessments are used to help the evaluation process. Dribbling, passing, shooting, and overall knowledge of the game are needed to compete in the league. The season is around 3 months long with about 15 regular season games. The season ends with a county tournament around mid to late January. In order to participate, players must display respect, responsibility, and good character not just on the court but in school as well. Players must submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before tryouts begin. That information can be found on the schools website. Keep in mind, the paperwork does need time to process and should be handed in at least 2 weeks before tryouts.
Wrestling:
The wrestling team will begin in November prior to Thanksgiving, and will run until mid January. The wrestling team is open to all, and there are no cuts to allow for any athlete to have a chance to try a new sport without the fear of getting cut. In order to participate, players must maintain their grades, as per the Athletics Participation rule on the Athletics Webpage. Also, players must submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before our first practice. We will have an interest meeting in the beginning of November after Fall sports have concluded. Please contact Mr. Lenox with any specific questions and/ or concerns prior to the season.
Volleyball (Boys):
The boys volleyball team tryouts are 1/30 - 1/31. Players are evaluated by the coach along with the Athletic Director. Skill assessments are used to help the evaluation process. Setting, Bumping, Serving, and overall knowledge of the game are needed to compete in the league. The season is around 5 weeks long with about 10 regular season games. The season ends with a county tournament around early March. In order to participate, players must display respect, responsibility, and good character not just on the court but in school as well. Players must submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before tryouts begin. That information can be found on the schools website. Keep in mind, the paperwork does need time to process and should be handed in at least 2 weeks before tryouts.
Volleyball (Girls):
The girls volleyball team tryouts are 1/30 - 1/31. Girls volleyball runs during a unique season, between basketball and softball, even though it is a fall high school sport. Our highly competitive middle school season runs from January through early March with about 10-12 regular season games and a county tournament. Players interested in participating must submit the necessary athletic paperwork, found on the Ridgedale website, to the school nurse by December and physicals need to be valid through the end of January. Tryouts are at the end of January and consist of a skills assessment in the following areas: bumping, passing, setting, serving, and overall knowledge of the game. Interested players are highly encouraged to participate and attend volleyball clinics and/or travel/club teams prior to tryouts as spots are earned by the most dedicated and versatile players. Can you participate in Volleyball and Bowling/Ski Club? You will need to skip Bowling & Ski Club when Volleyball starts. Volleyball is a highly competitive sport and to take one of the spots means you are committing to the team. Our season is already half the amount of time as all of the other sports teams and dedication is a MUST.
Baseball
Tryouts consist of a three day process that covers pitchers/catchers, fielding, and hitting. Tryouts begin on 3/12 and end on 3/14. Players are evaluated by three coaches. Evaluations for pitchers and catchers focus on mechanics, accuracy, movement, framework, and blocking. Evaluations for fielding and hitting focus on mechanics, footwork, arm strength, range, bat speed, and contact. In order to participate, players must maintain their grades, as per the Athletics Participation rule on the Athletics Webpage. Players must also submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before tryouts begin. The season is approximately two and a half months long with 15 regular season games. Every team in the Group 2 section plays at least one playoff game. The way to get involved, and make the team, is to practice months in advance leading up to tryouts. Do not expect to make the team if you have not practiced, worked on improving your baseball skills, or have never played baseball before. This is a serious commitment with the best nine players filling each position and spot in the lineup every game.
Bowling:
Intramural bowling team begins the first week of January and meets eight times at the Hanover Lanes Bowling Alley. No experience is necessary, and it’s all about having fun together! Besides bowling, trying out some of the arcade games and the snack bar are big hits too. Look for more information announced in November with the specific dates.. Requirements include a sports physical due by early December. There is a fee for participation. The school bus will transport students after school to the bowling alley and then return to the school afterwards for dismissal.
Golf:
Golf is an Intramural Activity that runs from the end of April to the beginning of June. It runs one day a week from 2:30pm until about 5:00pm. There is a cost involved (approx $75) which covers 5 rounds of golf and transportation to the course, Pinch Brook Golf Course in Florham Park. Parents are responsible to pick up students at the course. Students must have their own golf clubs. The space is limited to 16 golfers. Spots are on a first come basis, determined by the completion/payment of all medical forms and fees.
Softball:
Tryouts consist of a two day process that covers throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting. Tryouts are 3/17 - 3/18. Players are evaluated by the softball coach and the Athletic Director. Evaluations for throwing and catching focus on mechanics, accuracy, and movement. Evaluations for fielding and hitting focus on mechanics, footwork, arm strength, range, bat speed, and contact. The league is very competitive and the school team is not for inexperienced players, spots are limited. In order to participate, players must maintain their grades, as per the Athletics Participation rule on the Athletics Webpage. Players must also submit all required paperwork to the school nurse before tryouts begin. The season is approximately two and a half months long with 15 regular season games. Every team in the Group 2 section plays at least one playoff game. The way to get involved, and make the team, is to practice months in advance leading up to tryouts. Do not expect to make the team if you have not practiced, worked on improving your softball skills, or have never played softball before. This is a serious commitment with the best nine players filling each position and spot in the lineup every game.
Track & Field:
The Track and Field season begins in March late and ends in the beginning of June, finishing the season with the County Championships Group 1. Track and Field consist of athletes who would like to participate in events: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, relays, discus, shot put, and long jump. Students are required to maintain good grades and have the proper paperwork filled out in order to join the RMS team. Practices range from 2-3 practices weekly and 5-6 meets, including the championship bid. Transportation is provided to meets and parents are responsible for picking up students at the end of practices. County championships are limited to the top 2 athletes in each event based on times throughout the season and are divided into boys and girls category events. No fees are required and a uniform is distributed to all athletes and turned in at the end of the season.