As some sports open, others close down
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens definitely had these times nailed, didn’t he?
It was under a turquoise sky that the annual Utica Community Schools tennis tournament was held Thursday.
The four-team event was hosted by three schools; Stevenson, Ford and Utica.
Things went very smoothly. Social distancing was adhered to. Masks were worn by coaches and fans and players who were not on the court.
One of the day’s highlights was a match between two of the top players in the county, Eisenhower’s Evan Shallow and Alex Buzdugan of Stevenson.
Shallow won in a very competitive two sets, but that wasn’t the point.
The point is that they played at all. Nothing is certain with the ever-present uncertainty of the coronavirus.
Marcia Sokoloski is the grandmother of Toby Layson, who plays number one doubles with Josh Donahue at Eisenhower.
“It is wonderful to be able to see the kids do something normal in these strange, strange times,” said Sokoloski. “They can socialize and use social distancing. They are wearing their masks and they are staying at appropriate distances and yet they are doing what they enjoy.
“They are having fun and enjoying each other,” she continued. “It is difficult for everyone but for youngsters is particularly hard because socialization is such a big part of their lives. It is part of their learning and their education and I am sad that other sports can’t do it. I am very happy for Toby and his team, I am very sad for the others that can’t play.”
In another high school tennis match Thursday, L’Anse Creuse North defeated Cousino, 5-3.
The number of sports that can’t compete
— at least right now — went up on the same day that the UCS tennis tournament was played.
It was later Thursday afternoon when the Michigan High School Athletic Association announced that in most regions of the state, competition in the fall sports of boys soccer, volleyball and girls swimming are on hold pending decisions from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Boys tennis, girls golf and cross country, which are considered low-risk sports, will be played as scheduled this fall.
“We’re still waiting on more direction from the governor’s office. We’ve been in communication the last two weeks. The communication continues to be respectful and professional, but currently based on executive order language our school gyms and pools can’t be open yet for practice and competition,’’ MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl said Thursday in a radio interview.
Regions 6 and 8 (northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula) got the go-ahead, due to previous executive orders during the pandemic. Regions 1-5 and Region 7 are not allowed to compete in these three sports at this
time.
Neal Todd is the boys soccer coach at Armada.
“The kids just want to play,” began Todd. “I know the MHSAA is going to have some sort of ruling in the next week. We’re still practicing. We are going along as if we are going to have a season. We are going to abide by all the rules they set.
The Tigers practiced Thursday afternoon after the announcement was made.
“Most of the players are keeping up with what MHSAA is putting out. The players wanted to know what does it mean for us.
We have a game scheduled for Monday. Right now, the game is off but you never know when another decision will be made,” continued Todd. “We want everybody to be safe. Like everyone else, we are going to struggle through it.”
Jeff LaPratt is the volleyball coach at Utica.
“There’s not much we can do but show up each day to get better,” said LaPratt. “If we are approved next week to get into gyms, we’ll be excited and ready to begin. If not, we’re still learning.
“We’ve been outside since August 12. Even though we can’t get inside yet,everyone is coming. We take temps every day and we check for symptoms. We social distance, we mask up, we sanitize hands, volleyballs
“We are going along as if we are going to have a season. We are going to abide by all the rules they set.”
— Neal Todd, Armada soccer coach
and ball carts.
“We’re doing our part and if in the end we are still unable to compete this fall, then the girls learned a few things about themselves., The kids are showing up. They’re learning time management skills, responsibility, discipline, teamwork, leadership and commitment. It is not a waste of time because those skills will last them a lifetime, At least we are together and we have each other,” continued LaPratt. “Our tremendous coaching staff and our senior leaders make it all possible and worthwhile.”
Alyssa Lee is the volleyball coach at Cousino,.
“Right now these are really uncertain times but we’re choosing to react optimistically. In all, it would be sad to postpone our season but volleyball will always be there for us when we’re reading to make our return,” said Lee.
The best of times: A high school tennis tournament was backdropped by a gorgeous blue sky. The worst of times: No competition in boys soccer, volleyball or girls swimming.
This fall is the Dickens, isn’t it?