It’s been years since Wareham High School had its own cross country team, but, as of Wednesday night's School Committee meeting, that will change this year.

History teacher and girls’ indoor and outdoor track coach Christopher Gardner won approval from the committee to start a cross country running club at the school. Gardner said several students have expressed interest in the club to him, and, after a year or so, the club could become a full-fledged team again.

“It would definitely help out the track program,” Gardner said. “I would like to have a couple scrimmages and meets with other schools.”

Gardner said it would also be a good carry-over from the students who are currently in middle school gym teacher Nichole Stahmer’s running club.

“She’s been doing it for at least three or four years to create a culture of running and physical fitness at the middle school,” Gardner said. “She has twenty kids or so.”

Gardner said the club would help to increase the number of athletes at the school as well as encourage physical and mental wellness.

“Studies upon studies show that, typically, people who do sports have a higher GPA, are more attractive to colleges,” Gardner said. “It also helps with time management, accountability, responsibility and physical fitness as a life goal.”

The club is free, and all levels of runners are welcome, Gardner said. "All the kids have to do is show up with running shoes.”

“We will try to go over proper running form, make sure you are all warmed up before running – and we’ll start off really slow, just jogging,” Gardner said. “Everybody will be at different levels I am sure.”

The club will have its first meeting after school Wednesday at 3 p.m., in front of the school. Though Gardner will not be teaching the club, he said any interested students should talk to him about it.