Spring sports suspended indefinitely by KHSAA due to COVID-19

Spring+sports+athletes+in+uniform+on+the+last+day+before+NTI.%0ACourtesy+of+Athletic+Director+Kevin+Nieporte.+

Spring sports athletes in uniform on the last day before NTI. Courtesy of Athletic Director Kevin Nieporte.

On Tuesday, March 31, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) announced that the dead period, instituted on March 13 and expected to end on April 13, was extended indefinitely.

With this announcement, several spring and winter sports at Highlands High School will be affected, as well as tryout periods for other sports.

Archery was expected to have their State competition on March 6. That competition was and continues to be suspended.

Spring sports, of course, are the most affected by COVID-19 and this suspension. The Regular Seasons, Regions, and State Championships of Tennis, Track & Field, Softball, and Baseball have all been suspended.

However, KHSAA shares that these sports and their seasons “will be continually reviewed as more data is available regarding school resumption or cessation, and activities being conducted in alignment with CDC and state and local directives.”

“I’m so disappointed, especially for all of the seniors,” shared senior Connor Rust, Track and Field long jump and triple jump athlete.

Coaches, though unable to be with their athletes, are making sure to keep in contact and are encouraging athletes to stay in shape in hopes that the seasons will be able to resume.

However, even if these seasons are able to resume in the near future, this suspension is sure to affect many athletes and their futures.

The Softball team, for example, has been working hard since August and so far has been unable to play in any games or scrimmages.

Junior Caroline Class, a softball player, worries how this suspension may affect her future, as junior year is a crucial time for college recruitment.

She adds to this thought, saying “We aren’t sure of the lengths this will go to, but right now COVID-19 is having a huge impact on my future of playing softball at the college level.”

All athletes, coaches, and supporters are hoping the seasons of these spring sports can resume, but the coronavirus pandemic continues to make the future uncertain.