Devastating Cancellation

Savana Carter
Staff Writer
  Spring 2023 sports have been a struggle for competing athletes. Softball players have been trying to get onto the field play as much as possible since they have only played one game. They have been practicing in the main gym doing their best to learn new plays for the sport. The baseball team has been practicing inside, causing athletes to face new challenges once they are on the field. As for the track team, meets have been canceled or rescheduled, and some hosting schools limit the number of participants.The tennis have been outside shoveling the snow off their courts and basically playing with a wall in the aux gym. Having only played a single match, the tennis team has also experienced cancellations because of high winds and frigid temperatures. Although the teams have not had many opportunities to compete, they have been practicing nonstop and sharpening their skills in preparation for clearer skies.
 Even though spring athletes have held their heads high throughout the turbulent season, many are struggling to remain optimistic. Track athlete David Sorenson stated: “It upsets me, I want to run and get the times that I need to push myself, that can't come without touching the track.” Due to the cancellations, most athletes state that they are getting homework done, spending time with family and friends, or practicing more in their free time. On the other hand, athletes that are new to their respective sport have not had the opportunity to experience a real game or meet, which could stunt their progress in the future. “Practicing in the aux gym doesn’t have the same effect as practicing on an actual court does.” A tennis player Taelor Pitcher stated. Without a doubt seniors hoping to be awarded a scholarship might not accomplish it if they are not playing in tournaments; not playing in the tournaments gives them less of a chance causing them to not get the funding for school things such as covering a portion of the costs for tuition and fees, course-related books that they may need for college. Not having games has caused countless issues such as having more stress and anxiety, and not knowing what to do at the games for future players. Having contests canceled affects the way all of the players perform and does not give them the opportunity to show what the team has learned from the last time they competed.