In August of 2020, a new term was heard for the first time: Fall 2. In the past, a three-season athlete denoted the most involved student athletes in high school sports. However, like many other strange aspects of this year, the high school sports seasons changed as well. This change gives dedicated athletes a chance to participate in a fourth season and introduces another new term: the four-season athlete.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association voted unanimously in support of the ‘floating’ Fall 2 season on August 19, 2020. The sports classified high risk from the fall season were then moved to this new season, projected to take place February 22nd through April 25th, 2021. Sports that were deemed unsafe to play during the winter season were also moved to Fall 2. The hope for this new season was to push back the high risk sports, allowing time for more appropriate restrictions to be made. Over six months after the season was approved, football, cheer, dance, girls’ volleyball, unified basketball, and girls’ and boys’ indoor track and field began their seasons.
This shuffling around of seasons gave athletes the opportunity to take part in different sports than they usually could, and possibly even be a part of four teams over the course of the year. Senior Erin Walker made the most of this opportunity. Walker participated in Fall, Winter, Fall 2, and plans to continue competing with track and field in the Spring. Walker has played soccer and basketball since her freshman year and is now competing in indoor track and field for the first time during the Fall 2 season. In the past, Walker did not have the chance to participate in indoor track, but the Fall 2 season gave her this unique opportunity. Walker opened up about her choice to do four sports this year, explaining that “With Covid taking away almost all social activities, I love that sports are still a constant source of fun.” She is especially grateful for athletics right now, as they provide an outlet and escape from pandemic life.
Additionally, Senior Kenzie Kelly chose to compete in four sports this year because “I have always wanted to do track, so when the opportunity opened up this year, it was a pretty easy decision for me.” Kelly has been playing field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse since her freshman year and is continuing her athletics next year at Wesleyan, where she will be playing field hockey. She is grateful for sports because they have allowed her a sort of routine during the “chaos” of this year. Athletics have always been an important part of Kelly’s life, allowing her to meet new friends, grow as a leader and learn to work well with others. Kelly was especially excited about the four sports seasons this year because she is able to try something new and step out of her comfort zone through participating in indoor track.
Finally, senior Grace Kelley became a four season athlete this year as well. Throughout her life, sports have always provided an escape from the stress of school and life. This year, Kelley found athletics to be even more important, as they “feel like the only bit of normalcy left during this time.” Like Kenzie Kelly, Grace Kelley has also competed in field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse since freshman year and added indoor track this year. As a past three-season athlete, Kelley shared that she is used to being busy year-round with sports, so it only made sense for her to compete in all four seasons this year. Kelley has always been able to rely on the athletics community, and her career as a student-athlete will continue next year with Brown lacrosse.
Although this school year has been difficult on many levels, sports have provided many athletes with some sense of normalcy. As the highlighted athletes explained, sports allowed students an outlet, a community, and a time to be unapologetically themselves. After making the decision to move forward with the Fall 2 season, MIAA Board of Director President Jeff Granatino explained that “All of these individuals and organizations joined with the MIAA in trying to provide an opportunity for our students to take part in something they love” (Granatino). Although everyone may have different reasons, it is clear student-athletes are truly grateful for sports this year and the new, unique opportunities that a fourth season presents.