CORONA VIRUS COVERAGE: COMING BACK STRONG

Sports was a possibility this semester for our Widener Pride. With covid causing uncertain times many of our winter and spring athletes were hoping for the chance to compete this season but many of our athletes had low hopes after the cancelation of fall sports this year. 

This year winter sports and spring sports were able to play this year, high contact sports like basketball were tested for covid three times a week, while low contact sports like track & field were tested one time a week. Of course, students had to be covid free to compete, athletes had to socially distance themselves throughout the week to make sure they were healthy enough to play this season. 

Even though they were able to play this semester, it didn’t come without a price. Kolbey Woodard, a junior shooting guard on the basketball team, mentions the requirement of a mask during practice and having no spectators to watch during the games. Not having your family at your games or meets is hard. Bryce Ortiz from Widener’s track and field team texts his parents to tell them about his performances. “One of the big things for me was we’re not allowed to have spectators because of the pandemic it doesn’t stop my motivation from wanting to do good but not having my parents there, I have to text them and tell them how I did since they can’t be there it’s just really different.” Aside from not having spectators, athletes may not use the cold or hot baths in the trainers’ room after practice. Weight rooms are heavenly monitored for exactly 20 people including coaches, and all equipment has to be wiped down after every use. Practice besides social distance and masks are the difference that all athletes go through, but it’s not shocking.

Before covid, many teams were trying their best to stay in contact with their teammates and their new teammates through Facebook groups and text message group chats. Dylan Caputo from Widener’s track and field teams admits to not talking to his teammates as much during the pandemic. “I wasn’t in great contact with that many people.” But now since everyone is back together sports teams are able to be hang out together in practice, and after practice to limit the amount of people they are around, creating more team bonding between their fellow teammates. 

Hopefully, next year will be different for our athletes, people are able to attend games instead of having to live stream them to cheer on their friends, family and loved ones. This year with everything being virtual, it’s nice to have one piece of normal back even if it comes with mask and being six feet apart.