Winter sports remain on amid rising COVID stats

As novel coronavirus numbers continue to head in the wrong direction, the winter high school sports season continues on as scheduled.

Last week — on Oct. 14 — the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced practice and competition remain undeterred, despite the fact the virus doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

If those COVID-19 numbers continue current trends, a reassessment of the winter season is not out of the question, said Mentor athletic director Jeff Cassella, who also serves on the OHSAA’s Board of Directors as Northeast District representative.

“It’s so up in the air,” said Cassella.

“We’ve told our coaches to continue following all protocols, and we’ll see what happens.”

High school girls basketball teams began practice Oct. 23, with boys basketball, bowling, swimming and diving, and hockey set to begin practice Oct. 30.

Wrestling and gymnastics are the last winter sports to start practice beginning in early November.

Recent COVID-19 news is trending in the wrong direction. For the first time during the pandemic, Lake and Geauga counties are at Level 3 on Ohio’s coronavirus alert system.

Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit counties have also reached Level 3.

According to the public health advisory system, Level 3 indicates the counties are experiencing high levels of exposure and spread of the virus, and residents are instructed to limit activities as much as possible. Residents should decrease their in-person interactions, consider only traveling when necessary and limit their attendance at gatherings of any size.

“Going in, my biggest concern wasn’t the fall. It was the winter because of everything being indoors,” said Cassella.

In other COVID-19 news, Gov. Mike DeWine an

nounced Cuyahoga County is one of three counties in Ohio put on Level 4 watch list. Level 4 is described as an area with “severe exposure and spread.”

Cassella said winter sports attendance will follow the rules of fall’s lone indoor sport — volleyball. That means 15%, or a cap of 300, at each winter event. For outdoor fall events, that number is at 15% of capacity or a cap of 1,500.

If the OHSAA decides to amend, restructure or delay the winter sports season based on COVID-19 developments, it will be strictly made based on medical directives.

“We’ll rely on the Department of Health,” said Cassella.

PAUL DICICCO — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Mentor and Elyria tip off their game at Mentor on Jan. 3, 2020.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Owen Menge of Columbia runs behind a block for a gain against Genoa Area during the second quarter Oct. 23. The Raiders prevailed, 14-7, for Coach Jason Ward’s 100th career win. Read Adam Schabel’s recap at MorningJournal.com.