Now that school is back in full swing, so are sports. As more and more teams start practicing, THE NEST is still taking precautions to keep Hawks safe. Student athletes are required to fill out an online health scan each day before practice. As they show up to the fields or courts coaches are required to take their temperatures. Masks are required to be warm by the athletes daily to prevent COVID cases.
Tickets for sports events are purchased online this year. Spectators have to sit every other row in the bleachers and at stadiums during sports events. Masks are required and social distancing must be obtained for both athletes on the sidelines and for the fans in the stands. At northside stadiums like Farris and Gus, athletes aren’t allowed in the locker room after half time. In addition, they are not allowed to interact with fans during or after the game.
“I don’t really like the fact that we have to wear masks, but that’s our new normal now,” senior varsity cross country runner Hannah Gager said.
In 2019 1,484 volleyball tickets and 19,531 football tickets were sold. This year as of Thursday, October 29, 1,037 volleyball tickets and 5,295 football tickets have been sold.
“I feel like they have decreased because there are not as many students that come, but we still have the same amount of parents and families that show up,” sophomore JV volleyball player Mariah Thomas said.
As for records, volleyball is winning again, but football is struggling more than last year. Tennis made playoffs with an upset against Brennan.
“Our hardest competition this year is ourselves. We have more eyes on us because we are like the new kid on the block. Everyone wants to get a piece of us,” varsity football player and captain David Meyer said.
Now a part of Division 6A, the competition has increased, and therefore so has the training, work, and effort Hawk athletes put into their sport.
“I feel like the ball really has changed like the different competition has changed. Coach has amplified practice more and added different skills and stuff that we need to know coming into 6A that has changed our practices so much,” Thomas said.
Restrictions and regulations have been put into place for bus transportation to and from games. Athletes must sit one to a seat and wear masks. This means more buses are needed for transportation. Football takes four buses, two for offense and two for defense, so that they can fit everyone one to a seat. For volleyball, students who selected virtual learning must drive themselves or find. parent or family member to provide transportation, but those attending in-person may ride the bus to the game.
“Every person is different, but before the game starts it’s just my moment, I do my own thing. On the field that’s a different story, but in the locker room I like to just be on my own and think on my own. On the field is when I’m getting hyped up. I’m cheering on my teammates saying let’s go and those kinds of motivational words,” Meyer said.