Image courtesy of Kamiak Youtube
Getting Back in the Game with Kamiak Sports
by Carolyn Slack, Reporter
School Sports
The restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic have undoubtedly made this school year difficult in several ways, including the limitation of school activities and events. Fortunately, after careful planning from the school district, the safety department, and the athletic department, in-person sports began on February 22nd. Despite the abnormality of the sports seasons, coaches and student-athletes are enthusiastic to be practicing and competing.
SCHEDULE
The various seasons have been shortened in order to fit all sports into the rest of the school year. “fall” sports (cross country, football, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ tennis, girls’ volleyball, and non-competitive cheer and dance) started February 22nd and will end April 2nd. “Spring” sports (baseball, golf, boys’ soccer, fastpitch softball, girls’ tennis, and track) start March 29th and end May 8th. Finally, “winter” sports (baseball, boys’ swim and dive, and wrestling), start May 3rd and end June 12th. Competitions are frequent, and schedules can be found on the Kamiak Athletics website.
HOW TO WATCH
In order to maintain health and safety, in-person spectating is adjusted at this time. First, there are new online opportunities for parents and the student body to watch. For example, there are live streams of select sports such as Volleyball, Girls Soccer, and Football, as well as others in the upcoming seasons. These live streams are linked on the athletics section of the Kamiak webpage. Additionally, the district recently began allowing limited home team spectators. For some sports, family and friends who plan to watch must be invited by coaches or athletes, receive a ticket, and follow COVID-19 guidelines. In other sports, spectators may watch without a ticket. In the future seasons, depending on phase guidelines, a similar process will continue.
Image courtesy of Kamiak Youtube
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
Health is the top priority for staff and students. Therefore, there are a multitude of COVID-19 precautions in place to keep participants healthy. The message from the athletic director, Sean Monica, outlines the various rules and regulations. For example, athletes must bring an attestation form to practice each day that states they have no symptoms, have had no close contact with a positive COVID-19 case, and are not awaiting a virus test result. Additionally, all participants must wear a mask, sanitize their hands, and maintain social distance responsibly.
A COACH WEIGHS IN
To get an inside look at the specifics of the fall sports season, cross country and track coach, Charles Lewarne, tells us about his perspective and experience. His outlook on the opportunities is very positive, stating that, “This season is all about getting kids together, involved with some activity, and keeping everyone safe… My hopes are that we get to enjoy the best things about our sport and celebrate those opportunities… and not dwell on what we’ll miss during this season.”
Lewarne also describes how even the little things about cross country are exciting and important. For instance, “getting out to practice, going for a run with some friends and teammates, and toeing a starting line to do your best are very normal, simple, and pure things that really have no substitute.” As for the COVID-19 situation, it is essential that all athletes are mindful and do their part. He notes that, “kids have been serious, respectful, and responsible about the expectations. We are excited to get to have any season, and a positive COVID contact or infection could jeopardize that for everyone.”
Overall, the start of sports at Kamiak is exciting for athletes, families, and coaches. It provides some sense of normalcy and interaction and allows students to pursue what they love.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.
Sources
Athletics / Athletics - Copy, www.mukilteoschools.org/domain/459.
“Kamiak High School.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/channel/UCwh9b1t8vOOi4lCLQtlmCLg.
Monica, Sean. “AD Message 2021.03.16.” Mukilteo Schools, 16 March 2021, https://www.mukilteoschools.org/cms/lib/WA01819447/Centricity/ModuleInstance/28566/AD%20Message%202021.03.16.pdf. Accessed 28 March 2021.
Monica, Sean. “AD Message 2021.02.25.” Mukilteo Schools, 25 February 2021, https://www.mukilteoschools.org/cms/lib/WA01819447/Centricity/ModuleInstance/28566/AD%20Message%202021.02.25.pdf. Accessed 28 March 2021.