High risk winter sport athletes can begin practice Jan. 4, 2021

NEW YORK STATE — Between the pounding of the basketball against the gym floor, the tension of grappling their opponent on the wrestling mat and the sensation of skates gliding on the ice, there’s much for student athletes to look forward to when it comes to the winter season. Seeking to minimize risk and exposure to COVID-19 this winter, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced that high school athletes can’t start practicing high risk winter sports until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Pine Plains Central School District Athletic Director Rob Scott explained the situation. Basically, he said, the state said schools can start practicing on Jan. 4. Section IX said they can start practicing on Jan. 4 also, but right now there is no competition allowed for those sports, so the schools can practice — but not compete. Section IX did not compete in fall sports this year, they actually pushed the date of the fall season back. There are guidelines schools must follow for high-risk sports. Students may begin practicing high risk winter sports, according to Scott, but unless the governor or the New York State Department of Health weighs in, schools have been banned from competing.

NYSPHSAA issued a press release on Nov. 17; it gave examples of high risk winter sports, including basketball, wrestling, competitive cheer and ice hockey. In the Harlem Valley, Webutuck High School in Amenia, Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School in Pine Plains and Millbrook High School are member schools.

Meanwhile, as previously determined by the association, low and moderate risk winter sports — including indoor track and field, swimming and diving, skiing and gymnastics — were allowed to begin on Monday, Nov. 30, for schools and sections that have determined it “feasible to host interscholastic athletics at that time.” Locally, Harlem Valley students only participate in indoor track and field in this category. NYSPHSAA noted all winter State Championship events remain scheduled as of this time.

Recognizing “the numerous challenges interscholastic programs” face resuming high risk sports during the pandemic, NYSPHSAA President Julie Bergman said its goal is to keep students safe while they can keep playing sports.

With updated guidance on how to proceed with the 2020-21 winter sports season, Harlem Valley school districts have been discussing their options. 

At the Webutuck Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Monday, Nov. 16, Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani informed the board that they were given permission for low and moderate risk contact sports to start on Nov. 30. He told the BOE at the time the district had opened its gymnasium for a number of sports; it’s enforcing social distancing with the athletic director supervising to ensure students and coaches wear masks and stay 6 feet apart.

“We’re trying to get as close to normal as possible,” Castellani said.

Pine Plains Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler discussed low risk winter sports at the BOE meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18. He explained that the district’s only low risk sport is winter track. 

Meanwhile, in a letter posted on the Millbrook Central School District website, www.millbrookcsd.org, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, Superintendent of Schools Laura Mitchell reported that, due to “barriers” to participation, its administration and BOE determined the district won’t participate in winter indoor track this school year. Such barriers include concerns about the potential for COVID-19 to spread among athletes in the district and in opponent schools; the recommendation that winter indoor track be held outside and the complications that presents; and incomplete guidance. 

Also in her letter, Mitchell reported that the district hasn’t yet determined whether it will participate in high risk sports, such as basketball and cheerleading.

Stepping boldly onto the court, the Pine Plains varsity boys basketball team faced off against Webutuck in the Webutuck High School gymnasium at a game held this past January. Archive photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Members of the 2019-20 Pine Plains varsity volleyball team celebrated another vigorous sports season in the Stissing Mountain High School gymnasium. Photo submitted

  

Stepping boldly onto the court, the Pine Plains varsity boys basketball team faced off against Webutuck in the Webutuck High School gymnasium at a game held this past January. Archive photo by Kaitlin Lyle