For many athletes, the Junior Varsity level does not just help improve skills but also brings students together across grades and levels of experience. JV Boys’ Soccer, due to the sheer amount of players signing up, divides into two JV teams, A and B, as well as a Thirds team with solely freshmen. Harris Felix ‘27, an athlete on JV (A), explained how this setting “allows for some extra variation in levels of competition and inclusion of players.”

Sienna King ‘29 from Girls’ JV Volleyball describes her team as “quite strong and everyone on the team is very close.” When asked how she would feel training with less experienced players, King stated, “I honestly wouldn’t mind because everyone is so supportive.” According to King, the emphasis on collective effort to get “even better with each practice” is a cornerstone of the JV experience.

For coaches, the job centers around managing a wide range of skill levels. Head Coach of JV Field Hockey Sam Landau described the challenge and the goal: “it’s a tough level to be on, because it’s not middle school, and it’s not varsity. Our goals are to train and develop the girls to play varsity… I think our goal also is to create the most positive experience we can have.” He noted that, “everybody plays, not equally, but everybody gets into a game.”

Assistant Coach for Girls’ Cross Country Malinda Polk described how “the vibe on the team is so positive. It is such a pleasant group to spend time with.” She explained the value of focusing on JV development is that ”you can learn a new sport, and… the victory isn’t really whether or not you win the game. It’s whether or not someone dribbled for the first time, or someone remembered what offside was for the first time.”

However, the JV experience does not come without its logistical challenges. For example, JV Field Hockey struggles with access to turf fields. Landau explained that “80% of the schools… that we compete against at the JV level play on turf all the time. So it’s kind of a disadvantage for us a little bit because I don’t feel like we’re as prepared.” He identified this as “one thing I want to change… to just… have the opportunity to develop [the players] on the turf game.”

Additionally, despite the advantages of JV sports, many coaches expressed recurring concerns about the declining participation in JV sports. Head Coach for JV Football Josh Jordan pointed to a clear “culture shift.” He stated, “we see fewer and fewer kids commit to playing multiple sports.” Jordan advocated passionately for multi-sport athletes, arguing that “the pressure student-athletes face to commit to focusing on a singular sport… can make an athlete’s experience feel more like a job versus having fun, a true staple of what the Milton athletic experience should be.” Assistant Coach for JV Football Mark Goodrich emphasized, “I think more kids need to come out and just try a sport.”

JV Volleyball athlete Nini Lu ‘29’s idea for recruiting is to have “more spirit events, [which] would further enhance the overall experience of JV sports participants for more people to get into the sports.”

Until enrollment increases, JV sports adapt. For example, JV Football has adapted to a shortage of linemen by playing a 7-vs-7 format, focusing entirely on the passing game. Goodrich further highlighted the lack of “a line that’s trained on how to be aligned” and the new goal of “throwing the ball every single play.” To ensure a positive experience, the team uses a skilled backup quarterback from varsity. This addition “allows… every single player on the squad to catch a football,” said Goodrich.

Addison Chiang ‘29 from JV Field Hockey wants prospective JV athletes to know that although “the commitment isn’t that big,” each athlete must still “show up to every practice.”

Felix feels the benefits are worth it. He reflected how, as a member of JV, he has the opportunity to meet students he “probably wouldn’t necessarily develop a connection with otherwise.” With the continuous support from coaches and students, as Goodrich mentioned, “You just gotta be willing to take a chance and go have fun and lean into it.”