Basketball is open to 6^th grade boy and girl students. It is not a cut sport meaning interested students will all make the team. The season runs from November through January.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season. Practice is before school.

Boys Basketball is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is a cut sport meaning interested students will go through a try-out process. The season runs from November through January.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season.

The Girls Basketball program is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is a cut sport meaning interested students will go through a try-out process. The season runs from November through January.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season.

The Cheerleading program is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is a cut sport, meaning interested students will go through a try-out process.  The squad members are selected by a committee of adults after the girls have completed a series of practice clinics.  The season runs from November through January.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season.

Cheerleaders work to promote school spirit, to encourage the teams, and to teach the cheers to the students and spectators.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Lisa Odden
7^th Grade Cheerleading Coach
E-mail: lodden@dps109.org

8^th Grade Cheerleading Coach Sarah Pollack
E-mail: spollack@dps109.org

Please click HERE for the Shepard Middle School Cheerleading website.

Cross Country is open to all students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. It is a non-cut sport meaning all students will participate without going through a try-out process. The season runs from late August through mid-October. The team typically practices or has competitive meets Monday through Thursday throughout the season, weather permitting.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

The Pom Pon Squad is open to all interested girls in 6th grade. The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the basketball season.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Pom Pon Coach
E-mail:

Soccer is a co-ed sport for 7^th and 8^th grade students.  The season begins in August and continues through October.  Students are expected to come to the try-outs with shin guards to participate.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

The Girls Softball program is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is a cut sport meaning interested students will go through a try-out process. The season runs from April through May.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Andy Staniszewski
Softball Coach
E-mail: astaniszewski@dps109.org

Andrea DiCanio Brown
Softball Coach
E-mail: cadicanio@dps109.org

Track and Field is open to all students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. It is a non-cut sport, meaning all students will participate without going through a try-out process. The season runs from April through May. The team typically practices or has competitive meets Monday through Thursday throughout the season, weather permitting.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Sherrie Ramsden and Alex Rummelhart
Track and Field Coaches
E-mail: sramsden@dps109.org and arummelhart@dps109.org

The Boys Volleyball program is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is cut sport meaning interested students will go through a try-out process. The season runs from February through April.  The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Sarah Pollack
7^th Grade Boys Volleyball Coach
E-mail: spollack@dps109.org

8^th Grade Boys Volleyball
E-mail:

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The Girls Volleyball program is open to students in 7^th and 8^th grade. It is cut sport meaning interested students will go through a try-out process that is usually held the first or second week of school. The season runs from September through October. The team typically practices or has games Monday through Thursday throughout the season. The program competes in the North Suburban Middle School Conference. Go Spartan girls' volleyball!

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Common Questions

Question:  Is it important to give Coach Stan your e-mail?

Answer:  Yes!  It is important to check your e-mail every day for wrestling.  Coach Stan does his best to get you updated information on practices and meets.

Question:  How long does a meet last?

Answer:  A meet lasts from 1.5 – 2 hours

Question:  Should I pack something to eat for my wrestler before a match?

Answer:  Yes!  A healthy snack before a match is a great idea.  Pack some fruit and snack bars to keep their energy up and running, especially if they do not eat after lunch.  More information on proper eating habits will be sent on e-mail.

Question: What are JV matches and how will I know if my JV wrestler will have a match?

Answer:  JV matches are considered Junior Varsity.  Any wrestler not on Varsity is a Junior Varsity wrestler.  You can find out about matches through an e-mail the day of the meet. The starting times of Varsity and Junior Varsity matches can change due to a variety of reasons.

Question: Does my wrestler have to attend weekend tournaments?

Answer: The only wrestlers who are required to attend are those who are on the Varsity team.  Coach will e-mail a list of who will be wrestling in each tournament two to three days before the tournament.

Question: What does it mean to be on Varsity?

Answer:  Varsity identifies those wrestlers who are the most qualified wrestlers in their weight class.  Winning a challenge match does help to determine varsity positions.  Occasionally, it is up to the coaching staff to decide who will wrestle Varsity and for what weight, since each wrestler is allowed to wrestle up a weight class.

Question: What is a challenge match?

Answer:  A challenge match occurs during practice only when the coach authorizes it. On occasion, if an athlete wants to compete for a Varsity position they can challenge the individual who holds that position.

Question:  What if my wrestler is 70 lbs?  Will he have to wrestle someone twice his size?

Answer:  NO!  There are 19 different weight classes.  65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 112, 119, 126, 135, 145, 155, 167, 185, 215, 275 lbs. According to IESA rules, a wrestler is allowed to wrestle up one weight class.  They may never wrestle down a weight class.

Question:  Will my wrestler have to lose/gain drastic amounts of weight?

Answer:  NO!  As a coaching staff we practice proper weight management.  The days of old, where kids starved themselves for long periods of time is over and against the law.  We encourage healthy eating habits.  More information on eating properly will be sent out via e-mail.

Question:  Will my wrestler get a chance to wrestle in any wrestling meets this year if he is not on Varsity?

Answer:  Yes, he will get a chance to wrestle.  Coach cannot promise how many matches they will wrestle.  Age and experience helps.

Question:  If we have an appointment after a match is it okay if I drive my child home early?

Answer:  Yes, but only if necessary.  Being a team means we stick together until the end which is why we encourage taking the bus.

Question:  What’s the deal with 7^th and 8^th grade volleyball?

Answer:  Unfortunately, the wrestling and boys’ volleyball seasons overlap.  Individuals who plan on leaving the wrestling team to try out for volleyball need to inform Coach Staniszewski within the first two weeks of the season.  In this situation, the wrestler, even if they are the better wrestler at their weight class, will share their varsity spot with other wrestlers in that weight class.  If they plan on leaving the team to try out for volleyball we need to do our best to further the team as a whole.  As a coaching staff we do not discourage or give less support to those individuals who plan to leave for volleyball. We are committed to the development of outstanding wrestlers and the future of our team.  If they do not make volleyball, we encourage them to return to the wrestling team.

All participants must have a physical and concussion form on file with the nurse. For a direct link to the forms click here. 

Andy Staniszewski
Wrestling Coach
E-mail: astaniszewski@dps109.org