In March of 2020, high school coaches and student athletes around Georgia and pretty much throughout the country, received news that high school sports would be postponed until further notice due to the rise of COVID-19 case. It would not be too long after the news of postponement would turn into the inevitable, the cancellation of the remainder of the season, which for some teams, had just begun, and in some case around the nation, never got started at all.
Georgia, was one of the few states were spring sports were in full swing for the most part. Many baseball teams were midway into their season, however other sports like soccer, lacrosse, and track were not as fortunate, as in the case for the Milton Eagles girls lacrosse team. The then, three time defending state champs had played just four games, when the stoppage came following their win over Centennial.
When speaking to Milton head coach, Tim Godby about finally getting back onto the field with his players, he said “It’s been exciting and rewarding for me because I see how much the girls love being out here,” Godby told me. He went on to say, “I can tell there’s a different approach to them being out here,” adding that he can tell they enjoy being out there as he sees the smiles on their faces. Godby also noted that, noticed that the girls realize they cannot take anything for granted after having to miss last season, but added that “the battle’s not over. We still have to be responsible and make sure we’re taking care of ourselves and taking the proper precautions to avoid contracting the virus.”
New Manchester Jaguars baseball head coach Ian Chisolm speaksDaminon Lewis
Track and Field student athletes and coaches also dealt with only seeing about three to four meets before things ended for them and so when speaking with Westlake girls head coach, Jason Cage, he stated that although it has been exciting having his runners back on the track, “every day is like a miracle just to get by,” said Cage. “You never know who may test positive (for COVID-19) and when you do the contract tracing, you never know if that have your team having to quarantine.”
As I mentioned previously, baseball teams were fortunate enough to play close to half their season, with some teams getting 10 to 15 games in before the March 12th shutdown, but still, when speaking with New Manchester head coach, Ian Chisolm, just as Godby and Cage, he and his players are “really excited and anxious,” Chisolm said. He went on to mention that they do realize that people’s health are more important than baseball, however they are glad that based on how things are going as of now, it looks very good for them to complete their season this year.
Without a doubt, spring sports student athletes “took one for the team” in a sense last year as they were the only sports in Georgia to not complete their seasons and have championships. So, there’s plenty of reason for them to be more than excited to finally get back to doing what they love to do.
