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| Ludlowe celebrating their 2019 Holiday Tournament Championship |
It was an interesting day in high school sports.
Most winter sports were told they can begin starting on Tuesday. This is pending school/district approval. Games can begin as early as Feb. 8. However, some sports, such as wrestling, competitive cheerleading, dance and indoor track, can not begin in the normal fashion. Wrestling, competitive cheerleading and dance are all in the high risk category, as categorized by the National Federation of High Schools. Indoor track can't hold meets but can practice, due to the number of people in facilites for
- Wrestling may conduct small group conditioning and non-contact skill building.
- Competitive cheering may conduct small group conditioning and non-contact skill building. Sideline cheerleading is allowed.
- Competitive dance may conduct small group conditioning and non-contact skill building.
- Indoor Track can have practices only. Indoor/outdoor meets will be considered for March.
There will be no state tournament for the winter sports, but rather a tournament experience (I.e. conference tournaments). All sports will have certain considerations for the schools to think about.
Here is the full plan from the CIAC.
In addition, where the biggest uproar came today is that the alternative season was cancelled. This was supposed to be the season where football, which was cancelled in the fall, along with any other sports that didn't have a season, would play. It's an interesting case, because you want to give the student-athletes opportunities, but you don't want to provide false hope, which is ultimately what happened.
Another factor that came out as a result is that as of now, spring sports will begin on March 29, the day after the winter season ends. Previously, the spring season had been pushed back to April 12, in order to make room for the alternative season.
I have many thoughts on all that has transpired, and I didn't even give all the details. Head to the Hartford Courant's Shawn McFarland's Twitter for more. Side note - Shawn's a great follow on Twitter and a great read in the Courant, always giving facts and information for the readers. Doing what a reporter should.
Overall, it was a very good day, I'm happy for the basketball, hockey players and others who will get to have a season. It will be a unique season, but any season is better than nothing. That said, It's disappointing for football, wrestling, cheerleading and dance. We'll see what happens for indoor track. Hopefully, as the weather gets warmer in March, they will be able to have some kind of meets outside, that will lead right into the outdoor track season. I can't say I am surprised however, I never really expected the alternative season to happen, whether it be because of the COVID metrics, or scheduling issues.
Then, there is the whole thought of if we should be playing at all. With the COVID metrics in Connecticut the way they are, there are a lot of people who either outright don't think we should be playing, or are skeptical of the fact that we are playing. Before the CIAC was able to approve winter sports today, the CT Dept. of Public Health had to give the go-ahead. That said, I know there are schools and towns who will opt out (happening as a type this).
I feel bad for the football players and coaches, along with those winter sports who can't have their seasons.
I'm optimistic for what's ahead for the winter and the spring athletes, coaches and teams, as long as everyone can stay safe. Looking forward to busy and exciting times in the Athletic Departments.
Side note - I had some different thoughts earlier today. Thanks for Rob Adams and his Doubleheader show for making me look at the big picture.
My thoughts on this blog are my own. I have these thoughts as a high school sports fan and a supporter of high school student-athletes and teams.
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