Football players take in a practice but with social distancing.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body of California high school sports, decided July 20 to move all fall sports to the winter, and move winter sports to the spring.
The North Coast Section (Miramonte’s division) announced all fall sports will begin practices on Dec. 14, while winter/spring sports will begin practices Feb. 22.
“It is unprecedented times and given that not one sport didn’t have its calendar changed, we felt we needed to be flexible,” said Ron Nocetti, CIF executive director.
The decision, however, is subject to change. A spike in coronavirus cases could lead to further postponement or cancelation. For now, this is good news for Miramonte athletes.
“Although I am distraught by the fact that our fall season has been pushed back, I am grateful for the opportunity to still be able to play the sport I love. I hope that it won’t be canceled but I’m thankful for this good news,” Miramonte sophomore Kyle Odmark said.
The Miramonte football team began physically distanced workouts, complete with mandatory temperature checks and a 15-foot gap between players.
“It’s really weird because normally in summer, we are all in close quarters and working out in the weight room. Currently, we can’t go to the weight room or do most of the stuff we usually do in the summer,” Miramonte rising junior Fletcher Simon said.
There are a number of different governing bodies for each club sport so restarting seasons will vary by sport.
The Moraga Orinda Lafayette Flag Football League (MOL) announced it will have a fall season but with many different precautions and regulations. Similar to the soccer clubs, all coaches must wear masks, and there will be a separate entrance and exit for each team.
Lamorinda Soccer Club, Magic Soccer Club, and Lamorinda Waterpolo have resumed practices, also with a physically distancing protocol. Certain Orinda recreation activities are still on, but with similar protocol.
Orinda’s swim and tennis clubs have adjusted to the restrictions mandated by Contra Costa County. To follow the restrictions, clubs are only allowed to have a certain number of swimmer in the pool at one time, and for a shortened period of time.
Tennis has to be in smaller groups and players have to be correctly distanced.
“The kids have had to be a bit more secluded from one another, and for some it’s been hard to abide by these rules,” Sleepy Hollow Swim and Tennis Club coach Liam Sullivan said. “Some kids even before COVID didn’t understand the ‘hand to yourself’ rule, and now with the virus, it’s become incredibly important that all kids follow it.”
Coronavirus caused Orinda spring sports to be canceled, including the senior seasons of Miramonte spring athletes. Students who had been training all year for their sport abruptly lost the opportunity to play it. Seniors who play sports are hopeful the same won’t happen to them.
“All the work I put into the past three years, whether academically or athletically could potentially be put to waste. Our water polo team had a tough end to last season and it would feel unjustified to cut the journey to redemption short,” Miramonte senior Charlie Cohen said.
Writer Henry Hill can be reached at editor@theorindanews.com.
