6-8th Grade Athletics

Runners of all abilities are welcome! Runners are placed into groups of the same running pace. A runner may switch groups as they progress. Practices may involve workouts on the track, endurance games, and runs to nearby parks or neighborhoods. There is a parent meeting at the beginning of the season to answer questions. Runners will compete in a weekly meet throughout the season.

• No tryouts. All athletes are welcome and able to participate in all races except the MHSAA Regional meet. The Regional championship meet only allows a certain number of participants.
• To register:
  • Complete the athletic registration
  • Complete a sports physical and bring a copy to your coach
  • Pine Knob Urgent Care on Sashabaw offers sports physicals
  • Complete the pay-to-participate fee
  • Link to registration and a blank physical form available on our website
• Practices are Monday through Friday after school
• No practice on half days or non-school days
• Sashabaw and Clarkston Junior High are two separate teams. They practice separately but travel together to all the same meets.
• Buses provide transportation to our meets, but families are responsible for bringing athletes home
• Visit our website for our complete practice and meet schedule clarkstoncrosscountry.org
• Visit our website for ways to help the team and be more informed about our season

Parent Meeting Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 pm at the Clarkston Junior High LGI

2026 7th/8th Grade
Sideline Cheer Tryouts

PHYSICAL AND ONLINE REGISTRATION ARE REQUIRED TO TRYOUT!
7th Online Registration Form 
8th Online Registration Form

MANDATORY PARENT & ATHLETE MEETING
Prior to tryouts at Clarkston Junior High track
Tuesday, August 31 @ 5:00pm

Optional Pre-Tryout Clinic: Monday, August 31 from 4-5 PM at CJHS Track

Tryout Dates
September 1st - 4:00- 5:30 P.M. (T)
September 2nd - 4:00-5:30 P.M. (W)
Clarkston Junior High Track

Skills being assessed:

• Jump: Toe touch, herkie
• Cheer: Placement of arm motions & memorization (cheers will be taught at tryouts)
• Flexibility: Switch splits
• Tumbling: Cartwheel, Round-off, Back Walkover
• Any other skill athletes can perform without a spot

QUESTIONS?

Contact:
Coach Sarah Pachla - smpachla@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Coach Anne Baldwin - abaldwin@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Coach Brittany Nickoli - blnickoli@clarkston.k12.mi.us

7th & 8th Grade Sideline Cheer Flyer

Practice Begins: Monday, August 17
Practice Time: 2:30pm-5:00pm
Location: SMS practice field (behind the building)
Dress: Football cleats, workout clothe

Requirements to participate:

• Physical must be dropped off to a coach on the first day of practice
  • Please be sure all required signatures and dates are filled in properly, or we will be unable to accept them as complete, per the MHSAA. We appreciate your attention to detail.
  • MHSAA guidelines state that an athlete must have a current-year physical on file in order to compete in interscholastic sports. A current-year physical is defined as one given on or after April 15 of 2026.
  • Pine Knob Urgent Care in Clarkston (248) 297-5282 is currently doing physicals
• Online Registration
  • Athletes must register through Clarkston Athletics website: ATHLETIC REGISTRATION FORM
  • Registration opens June 1, 2026
  • Registration closes August 24, 2026 - no late registrations accepted. Athletes are expected to attend every practice.
• Pay to Participate
  • Please pay to participate online through E-funds starting July 20, 2026

Athletes will not be eligible to participate until the requirements above are met

CAMP: Please plan to attend our Wolves Football Camp hosted by varsity football coach Justin Pintar. Athletes will learn various fundamentals and the basics of our offensive and defensive systems used throughout the Clarkston Football program. See attached flier for details. Students will be issued their helmets at camp in August.

Communication

All athletes must join Google Classroom:

• This is not optional. We utilize Google Classroom as a teaching tool and as a method of communicating with athletes. Please have them join Google Classroom before summer break.
• Must use your CCS Google Account
• Join using code: bwbdnzja

:Questions:

Coach Vargo at vargo.curtis@gmail.com         Coach Goebel at magoebel@clarkston.k12.mi.us

7th Grade Football Flyer

7th Grade Football Schedule

Hello Clarkston Wolves players & families,

The entire Clarkston football program and coaches are excited to meet all of you and get prepared for next year. The best thing for any player is to attend summer camp, because it helps the team work together, meet their coaches, and learn the exact system they will be using in the fall. We are looking for any and all young people who are willing to work hard, learn, and be a great teammate. We can’t wait to get to know you and have a great season!

Included are the key dates for summer/fall and for registration, and the team’s google classroom page (same as ‘25 7th grade page) will be used for communication.
If you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to email one of us. Go Wolves!

Coach Joe Miller: joemiller4252@gmail.com

Google Classroom Code: imyrs46 (all players must add school account)

We expect players to take responsibility for communicating with coaches and parents. This page is not a message board for individual concerns, but will be the main form of communication to parents when there are schedule changes or important information. If you have any specific concerns, please email Coach Miller.

Football Camp - Independence Parks & Rec

July 27-30 Learn more and register for 2026 Junior Wolves Football Camp
Camp is not required, but extremely important and beneficial for players, especially if they have not played football before or are unsure about participating next season

2026 Season Registration - Clarkston Community School Athletics

• July 20 - Registration and pay-to-pay ($200) will open for the 2026-27 school year,  submitted online at https://www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/athletics/registration
• Online Registration required before conditioning begins August 17
• Physicals are required for all players *dated on/after April 15th, 2026* (physical not required for summer football camp)
• Physical and online registration are REQUIREMENTS to participate.  Players cannot participate until their physical has been turned in to the coaching staff on their first day of practice

Conditioning

August 17-21 (start of season, 1 week before first day of school)
3:00-5:30 PM

Full-Contact Practice Begins

• August 24-end of season
• Practice times vary - M 3-5:30, Tu 3-5:00, W 3-5:30, Th 3-5:30, F 3-5:00
• Scrimmage/Game Days will be on Wednesdays
• September 9 - Blue vs Gold scrimmage 
• September 16 - First game (full schedule will be on Google Classroom)
• Kickoffs @ 5:30 pm (home games at CJHS stadium)
   

8th Grade Football Flyer
 

Tryout and season information coming soon

Tryouts:

August 31 - September 1, 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the CJHS Gym

Winter Athletic Registration:

Please make sure to complete registration online and have a physical dated on or after April 15, 2025, by the first day of tryouts.  Any athlete who competed in a Fall sport will not need to register online or turn in their physical again, however, all others will need to complete registration online and turn their physicals into the coaches at the first tryout.  Note that the $200 pay-to-play fee does not need to be paid until after tryouts and will be paid online via e-funds.

Tryouts at SMS:

• First Round: Monday, November 3rd and Tuesday, November 4th 2:30-4:30pm.
• Second Round: Wednesday, November 5th 2:30-4:30pm.
• Athletes are expected to attend all days of tryouts.

Important information for the season:

• Games start the week of November 10th and are on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Games start at 4:00pm.
• Transportation is provided to game locations, but families are responsible for providing their own transportation home.

Questions: 
Please contact Head Coach Jen Welch at jdwelch@clarkston.k12.mi.us or Head Coach Ryan Kaul at rtkaul@clarkston.k12.mi.us
 

Winter Athletic Registration:

Please make sure to complete registration online and have a physical dated on or after April 15, 2025, by the first day of tryouts.  Any athlete who competed in a Fall sport will not need to register online or turn in their physical again, however, all others will need to complete registration online and turn their physicals into the coaches at the first tryout.  Note that the $200 pay-to-play fee does not need to be paid until after tryouts and will be paid online via e-funds.

Open Gym at CJHS:

• Monday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 29th 2:45-4:45pm in CJHS Gym

Tryouts at CJHS:

• First Round: Monday, November 3rd and Tuesday, November 4th 3:00-5:00 pm.
• Second Round: Wednesday, November 5th 3:00-5:00 pm.
• Tryouts will be held in the CJHS Gym
• Athletes are expected to attend all days of tryouts.

Important information for the season:

• Games start the week of November 10th and are on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Games start at 5:30pm.
• Transportation is provided to game locations, but families are responsible for providing their own transportation home.

Questions: Please contact Head Coach Matt Ponik at mpponik@clarkston.k12.mi.us or Head Coach Andy Laidlaw at aglaidlaw@clarkston.k12.mi.us

2025-2026 7th/8th Grade
Competitive Cheer Tryouts

Mandatory parent and athlete meeting before tryouts: Wednesday, November 12, 5:00 PM at Pine Knob Elementary (PKE) Gym.

Tryout Dates:
November 13th
4:00- 6:00 P.M. (Th)
November 14th
4:00-5:30 P.M. (F)
*Must be present at BOTH tryout days

Location: Pine Knob Elementary Gym

PHYSICAL AND ONLINE REGISTRATION ARE REQUIRED TO TRYOUT!
7th Online Registration Form 
8th Online Registration Form

QUESTIONS?

Contact:
Coach Sarah Pachla - smpachla@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Coach Anne Baldwin - abaldwin@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Competitive Cheer Flyer

2025-2026 7th/8th Grade
Competitive Cheer Tryouts

Mandatory parent and athlete meeting before tryouts: Wednesday, November 12, 5:00 PM at Pine Knob Elementary (PKE) Gym.

Tryout Dates:
November 13th
4:00- 6:00 P.M. (Th)
November 14th
4:00-5:30 P.M. (F)
*Must be present at BOTH tryout days

Location: Pine Knob Elementary Gym

PHYSICAL AND ONLINE REGISTRATION ARE REQUIRED TO TRYOUT!
7th Online Registration Form 
8th Online Registration Form

• All players must have a CURRENT athletic physical to participate.
• Complete the Athletic Registration form on the Clarkston Athletics Website.  
• A copy of a sports physical and the athletic registration can be completed.
• Registration will be open on August 1, 2025. 
• Pay-to-participate fee to be paid once team rosters are formed. 

Tryouts: Wednesday 8/27 and Thursday 8/28 from 2:30 - 4:30pm. 
Girls MUST attend BOTH days of tryouts.

• Once teams are finalized, practices will run Monday through Friday from 2:30 - 4:15/4:30
• Buses are provided to away games, but families are responsible for bringing athletes home.  

Coaches: Jen Welch - jdwelch@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Sara Mertz - sjmertz@clarkston.k12.mi.us 

• All players must have a CURRENT athletic physical to participate.
• Complete the Athletic Registration form on the Clarkston Athletics Website.  
• A copy of a sports physical and the athletic registration can be completed online. Please present physicals to coaches at tryouts.
• Registration will CLOSE on September 3, 2024. 
  • Pay-to-participate fee of $200.00 to be paid once team rosters are formed. 

Try- Outs: Tuesday 9/3 and Wednesday 9/4 
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 pm 
Girls MUST attend both days of tryouts  

• Once teams are finalized, practices will run Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 4:30 unless otherwise advised.

First Team Practice - Thursday 9/5 3:00 - 4:30 pm

• Games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm (following 7th grade games)  
• Buses are provided to away games
• Families are responsible for bringing athletes home.  

Coaches: April Kosin april.kosin15@gmail.com and Jerry Ostrom ggostrom@clarkston.k12.mi.us 

First Week of Practice Notes and Logistics:
First Week of Practice Notes and Logistics

Meet Schedule:
Meet Schedule
**We are listed as Sashabaw- not Clarkston***

Parent Communication Sign Up:
Remind Parent Communication Sign Up

Track Informational Flyer + Registration Information

Parent Handout:
Handout

Practice & Meet Schedule:
Schedule

Order of Events and County Qualifying Marks:
Events

Google Classroom: Code: 2x4c52e