Restrictions Seen in Winter Sports

Different from the other seasons sports winter sports have a different set of strict guidelines they are required to follow, helping to keep the spread of Covid – 19 down while still being active.

HUHS winter sports are to follow strict guidelines put out by the WIAA, CDC, and the high school itself to have the season run smoothly with little to no obstacles.

The spectator guidelines will remain to be the same as seen in fall sports, two tickets given to each family for the games.

Boys varsity basketball coach Kevin McKenna sees the health of his players as the number one concern. “We’ll have to sub more often and make sure we are watching our players closely to be sure they are safe,” McKenna said.“If the player looks to me like they are struggling to catch their wind, I’ll take them out right away, no matter what they tell me.”

As seen in past seasons, busses were to be taken to the game unless a coach was given a note far in advance.

This year the rules on the bussing aspect are quite different from previous years, taking the bus was always a time for the players to bond and get to know each other.

“Busses are still an option for games, but we are recommending that players drive themselves to the games as a precaution,” McKenna said. “On the busses we will have seating charts that need to be adhered to for each player.”

Although all winter sports will see some form of the same guidelines, the sports vary in the strictness of the guidelines given to them.

Wrestling head coach Corey McCauley is excited for the start of the season and is ready to take on the challenges and new experiences he and his team will face this year due to covid.

“During practices the boys will be given a 12x12 square area on the mat and they will be with the same practice partner’s every day,” McCauley said.

Different from the refs last year, this year the refs are given an electronic whistle and are not to touch the athletes to help limit the spread of germs and areas being contaminated.

“When the match is over the refs won’t touch the athletes,” McCauley said. “The ref will raise his hand which will have a colored band on each arm and he will raise the winners hand according to the colors.”

Gymnast Ally Zickert believes a struggle her and her teammates will face will be staying six-feet apart. “In a normal year, our team is close-knit and social,” Zickert said. “It will be tough not being able to give hugs, high-fives, do team cheers, and all of the normal rituals that our team has.”

Winter sport athletes and coaches are happy to see a season and stay positive through these hard obstacles they will have to face.