LIT 2021 cancellation disappoints
As a Grade 11 student, Rachel Vanderhooft immersed herself in the 68th annual Luther Invitational Tournament.
In addition to playing for the Luther Lions senior girls' basketball team, Vanderhooft contributed to the prestigious highschool event by serving on one of the student-run tournament's 12 committees.
Little could she have imagined that the 2020 LIT would be her last as a member of Luther College High School's student body. Barely a month after the closing ceremonies, a pandemic was declared.
The inevitable announcement of LIT 2021 being cancelled
— yet another consequence of COVID-19 — was made on Friday.
“LIT is always one of the highlights of my year,” Vanderhooft, 17, said Monday. “The school puts on such an amazing tournament and the committees are all very hard-working and the teachers are all involved.
“Last year, I was on the banquet committee and I loved the experience. It made me very proud, because I was able to impact the tournament, and impacting it in any way is an honour.
“As an athlete who plays in the tournament, it's a privilege to represent our school and compete with my friends, even if we don't win.
“This year, with LIT not happening, it is disappointing because of how many people look forward to the event. It's not just the Luther community. Families, other schools and Luther alumni all continuously attend and rave about the event, so it's safe to say that it will be very missed.”
Especially in the Vanderhooft family.
Rachel grew up watching her brothers, Andy and Michael, play in the tournament. Andy competed in three LITS, setting an all-time tournament scoring record in 2019. Michael suited up for the Lions' senior boys team in two such tournaments.
“I remember going to watch in elementary school and it was always so much fun, because everyone really gets into it,” Rachel reflected. “People dress up. People make signs.”
There was every sign, from the outset of the 2020-21 academic year, that the 69th LIT was endangered.
The Regina High Schools Athletic Association did not hold any fall sports at the inter-school level. Earlier this month, the RHSAA announced that winter sports were delayed until at least February. LIT was to be held Feb. 4-6.
The cancellation — save for some planned virtual celebrations in early February — was a double whammy for Vanderhooft, who also has a passion for volleyball.
“I was pretty disappointed going into this year because I knew there were going to be huge changes in athletics and many limitations,” she said.
“Also, at the start of the year we have the Luther Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Not being able to compete in that was heartbreaking.
“I was grateful that we were still able to have practices, gym class and intramurals. It was just nice to still be with my friends in a somewhat competitive atmosphere, and to be connected again after so much isolation.
“It made me really happy because I depend on sports a lot as an escape from my stress and my worries. The positivity and encouragement within the activities is very impactful on my mental well-being.”
LIT tournament director Troy Casper, a member of the school's faculty, sympathizes with the students — especially those who, like Vanderhooft, are to graduate in the spring.
“It is a hard time to be motivated for students that are athletic and rely on athletics to help them in so many ways,'' Casper said. “So many students' marks go up when they are active. It just helps their mental state, cognitive functioning and concentration. These Grade 12s have been active their entire lives.”
That won't change for Vanderhooft, who plans to stay involved with sports at the post-secondary level. In the meantime, she is making the best of a once-unimaginable situation.
“We are lucky as a small school to still be able to learn in person,” she said.
“Luther has a really great and inclusive community. All of the teachers, and especially Mr. Casper, have done a great job of handling the restrictions and keeping us updated on the athletic restrictions as well. They've also been supportive of all the students, which was really nice.
“Even though I can't compete this year, I am lucky to have been able to compete in both LIVT and LIT for the past three years.
“There's only so much you can do during a pandemic.”