The Omicron variant continues to change athletics at West Ranch following winter break. As it is highly transmissible, outbreaks among teams have caused multiple soccer and basketball games in the past weeks to be canceled.
Health Assistant Mrs. Carrillo said, “Canceling games is based on how many active cases we have. If we have four cases within the team in the last 14 days, the team has to shut down for the next seven days. Therefore, the games are canceled.”
While it is unfortunate that the games were canceled, the coaches remain supportive of the decision for the school’s safety. Soccer in particular dealt with seven of its nineteen players testing positive.
Varsity soccer coach Michael Kane said, “I think it was something that had to happen. It’s kind of a bummer; the whole COVID situation has been hard on the kids.”
The boys varsity basketball team has also experienced game cancellation , despite an otherwise phenomenal season.
Varsity boys basketball coach Jeff Bryant said, “Back in December, we had a seven-day pause. We had to cancel some games in our tournament, so we definitely felt [the impact of COVID-19].” The omicron variant continues to change athletics at West Ranch following winter break. As it is highly transmissible, outbreaks among teams have caused multiple soccer and basketball games in the past weeks to be canceled.
Health Assistant Mrs. Carrillo said, “Canceling games is based on how many active cases we have. If we have four cases within the team in the last 14 days, the team has to shut down for the next seven days. Therefore, the games are canceled.”
While it is unfortunate that the games were canceled, the coaches remain supportive of the decision for the school’s safety. Soccer in particular dealt with seven of its nineteen players testing positive.
Varsity soccer coach Michael Kane said, “I think it was something that had to happen. It’s kind of a bummer; the whole COVID situation has been hard on the kids.”
The boys varsity basketball team has also experienced game cancellation , despite an otherwise phenomenal season.
Varsity boys basketball coach Jeff Bryant said, “Back in December, we had a seven-day pause. We had to cancel some games in our tournament, so we definitely felt [the impact of COVID-19].”
As the season moves forward, the canceled games mean that more games must be made up in the remaining time, putting considerable strain on the players.
Coach Kane explained, “This week we have three games in a row—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We’re just putting them in wherever we can. It will be tough on the boys, so we have to dig deep to play well for three days in a row.”
There may still be a silver lining, however, as the cancellation provides a helpful resting period at the height of the season.
“When I first called them, they were pretty disappointed, but they probably got a little bit of good out of it: got some rest on their bodies and regenerated for the rest of the league games,” said Coach Kane.
The important thing to remember is to continue to mask up and take steps to prevent further spread. Everyone must do their part to ensure our collective safety!