Students with various special needs have the opportunity to compete in a varsity sport in the adaptive sports of soccer, floor hockey, bowling and softball.

“I have missed my friends and teammates so much,” said Allison Brandriet, team captain of Park Center Pirates CI soccer team. “Being on the CI team is more than playing a sport, it is how I see my friends in real life and not on FaceTime.”

Brandriet played on an adaptive team during high school that won the state tournament in District 279.

The high school senior also plays adaptive floor hockey for the Maple Grove Crimson after the soccer season is over.

“Last year, our floor hockey team, Maple Grove Crimson, worked so hard during playoffs to get to the state tournament,” Brandriet said. “Because of COVID, the tournament was canceled. It was hard for me, my team and all other floor hockey teams.”

Adaptive floor hockey is one of nearly 12 sports and activities that the MSHSL oversees for the winter season.

“Our hope is that, despite COVID, the MSHSL can find a way to allow our adapted athletes play games for floor hockey and softball (spring sport),” said Allison’s mother, Jane Schmidt. “Our adapted athletes are just as competitive as other varsity athletes and they deserve a chance to compete. We miss our adapted sports family.”

In the last complete school year of 2018-2019, MSHSL had nearly 1,800 student athletes in adapted programs.

“Our adapted sports programs provide some of the most valued opportunities in the Minnesota State High School League,” said Executive Director Erich Martens. “Our staff continue to work directly with the leadership of Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association in providing the safest experience possible for these student athletes.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS will monitor the MSHSL meeting on Thursday morning with updates on-air and online.