Despite remote learning, it’s apparent that student athletes are eager to get back to sports. Rosters have been filling at all three local high schools, with some teams hosting tryouts and others accepting all applicants.

“I am extremely excited for our athletes to get the chance to compete this fall,” said Bobby Mickey, athletic director at Woodstock North. “Our kids have worked hard, and our coaches are doing an amazing job getting them prepared to follow the new guidelines. This year will look different, but our coaches and athletes are extremely excited to participate in fall athletics.”

WNHS was still accepting athletes as of Aug. 11, but Woodstock High School athletic director Chris Kirkpatrick reported Aug. 17 that all Blue Streak sports teams were complete and WHS would not accept any more participants. 

“We are not having tryouts this year for fall sports,” Mickey said. “We are allowing all athletes to sign up, but limited athletes would be allowed to travel for JV and varsity.”

Curtis Price, athletic director at Marian Central High School, said the roster for boys golf and girls tennis had reached capacity, but they could still accept athletes in girls golf and girls cross-country.

Fewer teams, more interest?

The 2020 fall sports season looks very different from every previous year. Deemed high- and medium-risk sports, football, soccer and volleyball are all missing from the fall lineup. Sports currently practicing and competing are swimming, golf and girls tennis, 

Fewer fall sports leaves a sizable number of typically fall athletes with time on their hands. The big question was whether those athletes would choose to try something new or opt for some free time this fall.

“All of our numbers have stayed pretty true to what they were last year,” WHS’s Kirkpatrick said, “so I don’t think they are attracting more or less.”

As of Aug. 17, Kirkpatrick reported that the Blue Streaks had 27 boys and 16 girls in cross-country, 25 girls tennis players, 19 girl swimmers (co-op team), and 23 golfers (co-op team). In addition to the swimming and golf co-op teams with WHS, Mickey reported the Thunder had 36 in girls tennis and 13 athletes running cross country. 

“Right now I don’t see any [teams] attracting more or less,” Mickey said. “Our girls tennis numbers have been high in the past years, so that will be our biggest numbers.”

Marian saw a rise in interest in boys golf. Price reported 24 students tried out for boys golf for a varsity roster of six and a JV roster of six. He noted that girls tennis was also a popular draw this fall with 29 athletes trying out for a team that typically fields 22 to 28 positions. The Hurricane’s have 10 girl golfers and two girls and 16 boys in cross-country.

Slippery schedules

Each school has been working on scheduling meets and matches for the fall sports, working within their COVID regions. Some teams have even begun to compete, but everything is subject to change.

“At this point scheduling is complete but remains fluid,” Kirkpatrick said.

Price added that some schools had elected to play within their conference only, so in some instances, a team could play an opponent two to three times to get all its games in.

Fans stay home, please

As much as the athletes love to have fans and family cheer them on, the schools are directed by the All Sports Policy announced July 29 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Upon reviewing the policy, the Kishwaukee River Conference made the difficult decision to not allow spectators/fans at any fall sporting event at this time.

A press release from KRC athletic directors stated: “These current fall sports have presented a multitude of challenges to overcome in order to compete. Our conference feels that our priority is the safety and health of our Kishwaukee River Conference student-athletes and coaches currently participating in the sports of golf, cross-country, girls tennis, and swimming.”

A press release on the Blue Streaks athletic page said expectations set forth in the All Sports Policy – for group size, space required between groups, attendance logs, and symptom/temperature checks for all persons in attendance – would not allow spectators/fans to be present. Despite the obstacles, athletes in Woodstock are practicing and competing primarily for the love of the sport.

“It is exciting to see the smiles on our student-athletes and coaches’ faces as we begin the season,” Price said. “Let’s hope and pray that everyone remains safe.”