Spring sports, nice to see you!
If you open this week’s paper up to the Sports section you’ll see a preview of this year’s Abbotsford boys and girls track teams. The numbers are a bit smaller from previous years, especially on the boy’s side of things. I am hoping that once the season officially begins, a few more Abby boys will go out for track.
As of right now, spring sports from Colby and Abbotsford are taking advantage of the 15 contact days allowed by the WIAA. As we all know, last year there was no spring season, so the governing body that over sees high school sports extended an olive branch, giving programs these extra days to help better prepare teams and get them some experience.
At the same time, south of the state, where all the D-1 schools are located, they’re having their alternate fall season. How strange it is to see football teams playing games in March? At the same time, I give credit to the WIAA for finding a way to get athletes a chance to compete.
On the other hand, it would be nice to have a normal year. In a normal year, I’d already have covered a few indoor track meets by now. There won’t be any indoor meets this season, not with the coronavirus still out there.
As I wrote my story on the Abbotsford track and field program’s upcoming season, my mind turned towards last year. I had taken team photos of both the boys and girls teams, and was looking forward to a good season.
Abby, as well as Colby, had multiple athletes that I felt could make it to the state tournament. Sadly, that opportunity was taken from the kids, and with the late start we are having this season, the state tournament is scheduled for late June instead of late May, I have to imagine that is going to affect how many kids go out for baseball, softball, track and golf.
The summer months are often a time of business and work. Kids put in 40 hours a week as they raise money for college, a car, or maybe just for a road trip before their junior or senior season begins. I’m happy to see that despite this spring sports season extending into the summer, so many kids from Abby and Colby are eager to compete once again.
There’s a lot of excitement I see on the faces of this year’s pitchers, golfers, sprinters, throwers and jumpers. They all tell me how good it feels to be back. I tell them the same thing. I’m glad to see them back and I am really, really looking forward to seeing them compete.
During the year long hiatus between the 2019 and 2021 spring sports season, I was proud that I was able to keep a sports section going during the pandemic. Believe me, that was not easy! It’s going to be tough to do it again for these next four weeks as I count down the days to the first offi cial baseball game or track meet.
But at least I have a timeline to go off of. I also have the hope that after having a fall and winter sports season, we shall see a full spring season.
I’ve missed spring sports, and I cannot wait to see what stories will unfold this year. I expect at least a few kids from Colby and Abbotsford to make it to state. But to be honest, the real thrill for me is just knowing the kids will have the chance to do something they love.
M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS
ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER
