After postponing the winter sports season, Wilde Lake athletes are preparing to continue their attempt to stay in shape without a team to practice with.

The latest postponement, announced by HCPSS on January 6, moved the January 11 in-person start date to February 13, the scheduled conclusion of the winter season. According to HCPSS, if metrics improve, February 13 will mark the beginning of the fall sports season. Coaches have been encouraged to engage with student-athletes virtually until they can resume in-person.

For many players, the nature of sports makes playing safely difficult. Athletes have expressed their concerns about maintaining safe playing conditions while staying in shape.

Wilde Lake High School football player Jordan Nguyen is finding ways to stay fit away from school sports. Every day, he does 200 push-ups and 200 squats, occasionally visiting the football field by his home to run plays with fellow teammates. According to Nguyen, all their training is COVID-conscience. “Of course staying safe because of corona,” says Nguyen. 

Nguyen emphasizes the importance of reducing stress, and during these stressful times this isn’t always easy. “Unneeded stress can really tip me over,” says Nguyen. 

Part of the county’s consideration as to when to bring back sports is the much-needed support system that sports provide to students. 

Sophomore Brooke Weinig is on Wilde Lake’s softball and track and field teams. “I know how much sports can mean to some athletes, especially during times like these,” Weinig said. “Not just the activity part, but the relationships with coaches and teammates. Overall the whole atmosphere is unmatched and is something so many students rely on.”

As this pandemic has left some athletes without that system, athletic and activities manager Kareem Penn weighs in. “I know this is tough, but just continue to get better at your craft, keep sports as your plan, keep your head, reach out to teammates and coaches, and stay engaged,” said Mr. Penn.  

“We know these challenging times,” says Mr. Penn. “But we are going to make the best efforts to have athletes back on the courts and back on the field.”