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SPORTS 6A — BAKER CITY HERALD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020 High school sports might stay closer to home ■ Oregon School Activities Association urges schools to prioritize regional opponents in scheduling for 2021 contests By Corey Kirk ckirk@bakercityherald.com If high schools in Eastern Oregon resume competitive events in 2021 the teams might seek to limit their op- ponents to relatively nearby schools to reduce travel and make it easier to comply with COVID-19 precautions. This regional approach would prioritize distance between schools rather than whether they’re in the same district or league. Athletic directors from regional high schools, while in the midst of the series of three “mini-sessions” this fall that allow teams to have practices, are also discuss- ing a regional approach to scheduling for when regular contests begin. “We believe it is prudent to restrict our travel to schools closer to home, and these schools offer us competitive games for our players,” said Beccy Nordvedt, athletic director at Enterprise High School. “Decreasing the risk of exposures contributes to being able to not only con- tinue to practice and compete, but also helps to keep our doors open for students to attend school in person.” On Oct. 15 the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), which sanctions high school sports in the state, is- sued a memo to schools cover- ing a wide range of topics. The memo states that OSAA’s “Executive Board has determined that schools will not be required to participate in their assigned leagues/spe- cial districts for the 2020-21 school year.” The memo continues: “While current league/spe- cial district alignments may continue to work for some, many schools are forecasting signifi cant travel and trans- portation issues that will impact current structures. Availability of buses and bus play basketball,” Somnis said. “There is some logical, realistic concern when you look at the metrics, and you look at the things that have to happen to get to that point.” Another potential hurdle for the resumption of high school sports is the state rule — Darren Goodman, prohibiting indoor competi- athletic director, tion, including basketball and La Grande High School volleyball, for high schools Mike Somnis said. “Being as that have only online classes. far out as we are, having par- That list includes many high ents drive out to their games schools in Eastern Oregon. isn’t feasible and isn’t safe.” Indoor competition is al- For sports with larger num- lowed only for schools that bers of players, schools likely have either a hybrid schedule, will need to employ multiple with students in classrooms buses for each trip. some days, or a full in-person “You got to have at least schedule. 3 feet (between students), As with the ban on full- which means that you could contact sports, OSAA has not put one person per seat,” Gon- received a timeline from state zales said. “Then it becomes offi cials about the possibility Kathy Orr / Baker City Herald, FIle Photo, 2019 a monetary issue, if you are of the state reconsidering the Baker’s Jake Wright battles for a loose ball against Vale in taking all 60 kids from the indoor competition policy. a game in January 2020. football team, then you’re tak- Playoff possibilities ing three buses.” The OSAA’s current drivers, increased costs due to fi nalize a lot of that till early As of now, the issue of passenger limits and trans- December.” scheduling games is moot for schedule plans for a one-week portation guidelines, and period, at the end of each In a year that has been far certain sports. concerns for lengthy trips in from normal for high school The OSAA’s Oct. 15 memo sports season in 2021, that would allow for playoffs and, an enclosed bus environment athletics due to the pandemic, notes that Oregon Health were among the issues raised with most state basketball Authority guidelines continue potentially, a state champion- by the delegates. Schools tournaments and the entire to prohibit full-contact sports, ship event. Nordvedt, the Enterprise will continue to determine spring sports schedule can- including wrestling, basket- their own schedules which celed, athletic directors in ball and football. The fi rst two athletic director, believes it will likely include more Eastern Oregon are focusing sports are traditional winter would be diffi cult to make that happen, since playoffs usu- cross-classifi cation contests. on getting students back to sports, the season for which ally involve teams traveling Both governing bodies were competition safely. starts Dec. 28. resolute in their belief that all from one part of the state to “We want our kids to play, According to the memo, schools in the state, regard- another. It’s not uncommon for and we will do whatever it OSAA offi cials have talked less of classifi cation, will need takes for them to play,” La regularly with the governor’s teams from Eastern Oregon to travel to the Coast, and vice to work collaboratively to Grande athletic director offi ce and the OHA “regard- versa. ensure that schools are able Darren Goodman said. “If ing the timeline for possible “It is hard for me to imagine to fi ll their schedules.” we have to stay regionalized, reconsideration of these poli- Buell Gonzales Jr., ath- then we will stay regional- cies but thus far has received that it will (happen in the letic director for the Baker ized.” no indication of any pending normal way) due to both increased chances of exposure School District, said regional With the winter sports reconsideration.” athletic directors are ready to season scheduled to start Dec. and spread of COVID, but also Somnis, the Pendleton because across the state many coordinate to meet the OSAA 28, another topic that could athletic director, said that schools have not been able to directive. pose a challenge is transpor- prohibition is a concern. bring kids in to even practice “We’ve been meeting as tation. “I think there is some at this point,” Nordvedt said. Eastern Oregon ADs and “If we get to that point, the worry, especially with cases But Goodman, the La we’ve just been keeping in assumption would be that we around the state going up touch with one another and would take district transpor- right now, and you just won- Grande athletic director, remains optimistic that some working our way through tation so the kids are safe der if some of these restric- this,” Gonzales said. “We are going from event to event,” type of playoff system is viable. tions will be lifted so that “I think it can be, I don’t going to wait to probably Pendleton athletic director we can wrestle, that we can “We want our kids to play, and we will do whatever it takes for them to play. If we have to stay regionalized, then we will stay regionalized.” think it will be in the same form as it is, I think you could be a top four teams in sports, even top six or eight teams in some sports but you can play more than one contest in a week,” Goodman said. In the Oct. 15 memo, OSAA offi cials wrote that the playoff issue generated “tremendous feedback” dur- ing the organizations recent executive meetings. “This will hopefully include state championship-like events but depending on gathering restrictions, travel constraints and fi nancial con- siderations for schools and the association, a traditional state championship event may not be possible in many activities,” the memo reads. As with the scheduling for regular-season games, a regional approach might re- place the normal playoff and state championship format, according to the memo. This replacement sys- tem could even potentially include a schedule that allows schools from multiple classifi cations to compete for a state championship. That format is already used for certain sports, such as tennis, where players from 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A schools compete at the state tournament. In the meantime, with schedules and seasons still in fl ux, athletic directors expressed gratitude for the patience of students, coaches and volunteers in an unprece- dented year. “We are in such a unique time and it’s a situation we’ve never been through before, as administrators, as coaches, as athletes, as a so- ciety,” Somnis said. “I would say that I think people are doing everything to give kids a good outlet, and give kids a good opportunity to do the best they can academically and athletically.” • P R O U D LY S E R V I N G O L D E R A D U LT S F O R M O R E T H A N 3 5 Y E A R S ! • FOR THEIR SAFETY DQG\RXUFRQࢅGHQFH We create a safe, enriching community where seniors can live well, know they’re safe, and maintain their dignity and sense of purpose. 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