Page 18 - The Edge Issue 8

Huddle
Edgewood Sports
Story by Emma Kelleher and Shannon Stuckey
Despite a global pandemic, Edgewood athletes persevere.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused major effects on Edgewood students and staff,
especially with the social distancing and self quarantine procedures everyone must follow. These health safeties have taken up what
remains of the Spring season for athletes, and no one knows exactly when sports events will start back up, or if they even will.
Mr. Jeff Worcester, Edgewood’s athletic director, has provided some knowledge on the Spring season and how the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) is taking action to prevent it being cancelled altogether.
“Spring sports are temporarily suspended, per state guidelines and at the direction of the
FHSAA,” Worcester said. “If, and this is a big “if,” we come back to school in early May, the FHSAA plans to move forward with state series
competitions (district, regional, state playoffs and
tournaments) with an eye to ending by June 30th.”
With about four weeks to conclude the season, every sports event would have to be rescheduled to fit into this extended month.
The FHSAA hasn’t cancelled the remainder of the season and will only do so on the state’s
command.
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“No decisions regarding athletics are being made at the school level. We follow county directions, which are following state directions,” Worcester said.
“All athletic activities are suspended, including banquets and try-outs. If your sport was affected by this, our coaches will most likely try to make up these events after the social-distancing
directions from the governor and our county are lifted,” Worcester explained. “It’s very important that athletes do not gather formally or informally to practice and that they continue to practice
recommended social distancing.”
Worcester recommends keeping track of the county’s response to the pandemic to find the most current information on high school athletic programs.
“While gyms are closed and practices are
cancelled, doing at-home work-outs is your best bet to maintain fitness,” Worcester advises. He suggests video calls and online workouts to stay fit for the possible rescheduled season.
“I’m personally not optimistic about the return of the spring season,” Worcester concludes. “It’s
terribly unfortunate for our athletes, but safety and health have to be considered well above playing sports as we all work together to beat this thing.”
Up!