Outdoor nationals canceled by pandemic

The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation announced last week that outdoor nationals for track and field, which in an initial attempt to still hold the meet was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., has been canceled.

It can’t be said the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation didn’t try mightily.

But this past week, due to ongoing concern amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the NSAF announced this year’s outdoor nationals track and field meet would have to be canceled.

In early June, the governing body, which oversees what was formerly called New Balance Outdoor Nationals, moved the meet from Greensboro, N.C., to Sioux Falls, S.D., with hopes of having it later in the summer on new dates of July 30-Aug. 2.

“We have to hold ourselves to the highest standard, and certain ‘boxes’ absolutely had to be checked in order to safely host the meet,” NSAF Executive Director Jim Spier said in a prepared statement.

“And we could not with absolute certitude check all of those boxes. We determined that it is not possible to conduct the Championships at the level we and the athletes, coaches and parents from around the country expect of the NSAF.”

Athletes such as Gilmour standout sprinter Andre Rodgers would have loved to have a summer track and field component such as outdoor nationals, but was realistic about that plight amid a pandemic.

“Yeah, I think honestly at this point with the pandemic going on and everything that’s going on right now, I think our safety is the most important thing right now,” Rodgers said.

“It would be nice to get out in the summer and do meets, but only if it’s at the safest level possible. Honestly, the safety is what comes first.”