What sliver of hope for high school spring sports in Washington is now gone.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday, in partnership with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, all schools will remain closed for in-person learning through the end of the academic year. Many school districts have transitioned to distance learning online.
The order to extend school closures through June 19 because of the COVID-19 pandemic also includes all extracurricular activities, as clarified by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association on Monday night.
By Tuesday, senior athletes around Clark County came to grips with the news their final high school sports season is over.
For Zeke Dixson of Prairie, the shock hadn’t worn off yet. He finally was 100 percent healthy again for the spring track and field season after a broken arm meant missing half his senior year in football and basketball.
“I was looking to track to actually have a full season to do something with,” Dixson said. “It’s upsetting, for sure.”
He and twin brother, AJ, were part of Prairie’s 4×100 relay team that placed second at state last May and hoped for bigger things in 2020.
Inslee’s initial order March 13 to close schools through April 24 temporarily halted high school spring sports. WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman said last week if schools were back in session by May 4, spring sports championships would go on as scheduled. But Monday’s announcement means it’s the first time since 1943 that no spring champions will be crowned. Washington has recognized state track and field champions annually since 1924, with the exception of 1943 (World War II).
For Nicole Guthrie of Woodland, there’s a bit of unfinished business left on the track with the 2020 season cut short. Guthrie looked to defend her 2A girls high jump state title.
But she’s keeping a light-hearted attitude as her high school career officially ends without a meet this spring. She’s all smiles because in her final track and field meet for Woodland in 2019, she stood atop the podium as a state champion last May in Tacoma.
“I feel like I can say the only reason I didn’t get another state title is because of a global pandemic,” said Guthrie, who will high jump at Idaho next season. “How many people can say that?
“I ended on a very good note last year. It was a great time I got to spend with my teammates.”
That positive attitude goes for Graham Moody of Mountain View, too. Moody, the 2018 3A state golf champion who had qualified with his team for this spring’s bi-district tournament, felt badly for senior athletes and knows he’s in a better spot than most with a senior year still ahead of him.
“Everybody is in a different situation as far as how old they are or their success throughout their career, but every person can appreciate how special it is to be able to go out and compete,” said Moody, a Wisconsin men’s golf commit. “I’ve been able to focus on other aspects of my life, reconnect with friends and stay in touch. It’s a crazy opportunity, but I think those looking at this as a positive are going to come out of this with a head start.”
Columbia River’s boys soccer team prides itself on never taking a day for granted. After losing in last year’s state championship game in heartbreaking fashion, the Chieftains returned 14 seniors ready to make another run at it.
“You always know nothing is for certain,” coach Filly Afenegus said. “But I would never have imagined something like this would happen and take a whole season away. It’s just unfathomable.”
Afenegus contacted his team shortly after the news broke Monday, and expressed his gratitude to the team, particularly a program-defining senior class.
“They’re not only first-rate soccer players, they’re great kids,” Afenegus said. “We were starting to create a strong culture but when these guys came in four years ago, they really helped accelerate the process.”
Afenegus, as are many coaches throughout the area, is trying to put together something to honor those seniors efforts.
That was Ridgefield athletic director Brynan Shipley’s first instinct as well.
“There’s some creative way to honor our seniors,” she said. “I don’t know what that looks like but I feel for everyone — the coaches, the parents and those seniors who aren’t going to get another chance. We want to do what we can for them.”
There were several contingency plans that athletic directors around the area had put together before the announcement Monday, Shipley said. With those now impossible, she turned her focus to the relationships with the students and coaches.
“For some student athletes, their coaches are their role models, who they go to when they’re feeling down or need advice,” she said. “It’s crucial to make sure we’re still connecting with kids.”
While Shipley is hopeful for the fall season to start on time and as scheduled, she said contingency plans will be discussed at athletic directors’ remote meetings in the coming months if the ramifications of a global pandemic persist.
