SPORTS | page 14
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Coaches explain their goals for the upcoming season and challenges COVID has brought.
Photo by Dillon Terry Above: After being robbed of their season last spring, some athletes have gone a whole year without playing their spring sports and must train to get back on track to have a successful 2021 season. By Dillon Terry
Sports Editor
N
o athlete ever thinks about losing their entire season, it usually just happens to a handful of individuals who have to recover from injuries. However, athletes all over the country that competed in spring sports last year lost their season. It was a devastating end to a season that had barely begun for all those who were involved in sports, especially seniors. Now that the spring season is approaching, athletes and coaches are hungry to jump back into their sports.
Baseball
Although the baseball team didn’t have a real season last Spring, head coach Chase Tigert is very confident in his team. “We have a special group of kids and they’re hungry. I’m confident we will make up the difference quickly,” Tigert said. Every sport has their restrictions due to covid, baseball is a sport where no matter what players are very rarely closer then 6 feet and there is little to no contact with others. When ask about if he believes that covid will effect their upcoming season Tigert said
“ I can’t imagine having any issues with our season after other sports have been given the green light.” Last year the program completely rebranded itself. Since the team was unable to wear the new gear they received last year, they will break out their new uniforms on the new turf field at Memorial.
Softball
Hawkins said, “However, anyone that has been around spring sports in our community knows that is how our season goes anyway due to the weather.” Although the team still needs to figure out who they are and what they will become Hawkins is excited for the upcoming season.
Track contains a variety of different athletes competing for themselves as well as for their team. This means that there are multiple different coaches for the different events. This year all the coaches for the team have one simple goal in mind, and it is to have a full season. “We met for the month of March and had no meets before the season was canceled last year. Some of the athletes continued to practice and meet in small groups once it was
“It is an evolving situation with COVID this year and we will do our best to make the season the best it can be.” -Angie Brass
The softball team had lots of new players added to their varsity line-up. This year’s goal for head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams is to rebuild and figure out what the team identity is. “I think we will be affected the same way the winter programs are currently being affected by COVID – cancelled games, postponements, changing game schedule, etc.”
Track
allowed.” Head coach Matt Brass explained. Even though the athletes had their season cancelled last spring, Sandpoint High School was still able to hold a meet in June for those who wanted to compete. Brass knows that his athletes are really going to have to really work hard and struggle to get back to where they were last year. Along with this coaches Tom Keener and Angie Brass have their own goals for their athletes too. Keener says that one of his goals every year is to help every athlete he coaches to be the best they can be on and off the track. “In order to maximize our individual God given potential takes tremendous initiative, dedication, practice and persistence on the part of the athlete. As coach, my goal is to the best of my ability, help instill and develop those traits in each and every athlete.” said Keener. Every coach knows that getting back to where they were last year will be tough, there is no shaking their excitement for the upcoming season.
