By Bobby Narang
In a normal year, the majority of the State would be preparing for an exciting blend of State competitions and playoff football.
Not this season.
Normal is not Fall State series following the Illinois High School Association’s (IHSA) decision not to take any risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Girls tennis players across the State to go with boys and girls golf had their seasons end last week, some tennis play this week due to bad weather conditions at sectional tournaments, while boys and girls cross country and girls swimming are hitting their final weeks.
Cross country regional meets will be Saturday, Oct. 24, to include sites at Oswego East, Lake Park, Proviso East, Minooka, in Class 3A; Kaneland, Wheaton St. Francis, Harvest Academy in Elgin, and McNamara in Kankakee in 2A; mostly in the mornings. Sectional meets will be Saturday, Oct. 31 to end the cross country season.
Girls sectional swimming and diving meets will be Saturday, Oct. 24 to include sites at Metea Valley in Aurora, Hinsdale Central, Lockport, and St. Charles North. Those meets will end their seasons.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, the IHSA announced it was reversing its original stance and would allow student-athletes to simultaneously play for their high school and club teams during the 2020-2021 season. The athletes participating in the IHSA Spring, girls volleyball, boys soccer, and football, can play for both their high school and club teams for the rest of the season which is from February 15, 2021 to May 1, 2021.
“The board determined it was prudent to make modifications to the independent team by-law for the sports that were displaced from their traditional high school seasons,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said. “They also came up with what we believe is a reasonable compromise for Summer sports.
“The Board is hopeful that the high school teams will be given priority when conflicts occur. We believe making the modification now will allow high school coaches to get communication on how they can corroboratively resolve scheduling conflicts.”
For those athletes who are set to compete in the new IHSA Summer sports season, baseball, softball, track and field, girls soccer, lacrosse, boys volleyball, and boys tennis, the change will allow them to play for both their high school and club teams starting June 1.
The IHSA revealed that a special board meeting is set for October 28 to determine the details for the Winter sports season, which covers boys and girls basketball, wrestling, boys swimming and diving, boys and girls bowling, and girls gymnastics.
“We expect to have a response from the (Illinois Department of Public Health) with final recommendations for Winter sport plans, including any accommodations and postseason plans,” Anderson said.
The upcoming Winter sports season is set to begin with practices November 16, while competition will start November 30.
“We understand that student-athletes, coaches, parents, officials, and fans, are anxious to learn more details about the plans for the IHSA Winter sports,” Anderson said. “We feel like we are making positive strides in our discussions with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to be allowed to conduct IHSA Winter sports as scheduled.”