Practicing Through COVID: A look into how athletes are preparing for their upcoming seasons.
Casey Hughes | sports writer
Matt Starchville | sports writer
With this photo feature, seven athletes explain how COVID has changed their practices and caused restrictions. Disclaimer: In compliance with governor’s orders, all school-sponsored activities followed physical distancing and mask requirements, but due to the nature of COVID-19 limiting school activities, the community was invited to submit pictures for the newspaper. Many of these photos occurred on private residential property and therefore may not conform to the regulations binding school-sponsored activities.
Senior track and cross country runner Andrew Abbott: “COVID has a big change in practices, since everyone has to stay distanced and wear a mask at all times. This has made me get used to running alone to work on my mental toughness since I can no longer run in groups and look for motivation from the people I’m running with.” Photo taken during private Nova Athletic Club race at Occoquan Regional Park. Photo courtesy of Andrew Abbott.
Senior track athlete Mckenna Giannos competes in the high jump as a junior during the spring track season 2019. Photo courtesy of John Klimavicz. “Practice has definitely been different, our workouts have been changed to accommodate that COVID guidelines, which has definitely made it harder to get back into the swing of things, but being able to see and practice with my teammates again makes it all worth it,” Giannos said.
Senior forward Kiefer Cummings warms up before a huge playoff game vs Millbrook during the 2019-2020 season .Photo Courtesy of Kiefer Cummings. “Practices have been a lot different because of COVID,” Cummings said. “We are forced to wear a mask and it makes it much more difficult to breathe while practicing. But it is what we have to do in order to stay safe and be able to play our season.”
Senior soccer player John Trowbridge plays at Ken Lawrence Park during a private club league game. Photo courtesy of John Trowbridge. “Practice was a lot stricter in how or what we could do,” Trowbridge said. “In the beginning we couldn’t practice at all. Then at first we couldn’t share the balls at practice. But now the restrictions are less than before and we can actually play. COVID affected me biggest with my recruiting process. Because it happened right before my junior season which is where the most recruitment happens.”
Sophomore Catcher Braydon Kelman: “COVID has put great emphasis on the players work ethic to make up for the time lost from the reduced practice schedule due to pandemic.” Photo taken at Virginia Sports Complex by team parent. Photo courtesy of Braydon Kelman.
Senior wrestler Zach Rios: “COVID has made practices a lot more difficult. It is hard to keep a practice intense at all times when we are wearing masks and washing out hands every ten minutes. Meanwhile, meets are a lot different. We aren’t able to warm up as a team, and we have to stay 6 feet apart at all times, even when we are cheering on our teammates.” Photo taken at Independence High School by a team parent. Photo courtesy of Zach Rios.
