Catoctin Athletics Prepares for Adjusted Season
Blair Garrett
Catoctin High School athletics are pushing on amidst a turbulent spring season.
It’s no secret that difficult decisions have affected student-athletes across the country. Many seniors lost a chance to represent their schools last spring with the onset of a pandemic, unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes, in the name of public safety.
As COVID cases have begun trending downward again, high school sports have returned to action with notable restrictions. Capacity limits and mandatory masks are standard, and most fans have to find alternative means to support their hometown team.
Fortunately, Catoctin High School has made it possible for people to catch high school sports online, as they live stream both boys and girls basketball on YouTube, which can be found on the CHS athletics homepage.
Players, coaches, and any bystanders have to wear masks during the game, and the abridged schedule is limiting the amount of games and exposure students are having competing against other schools.
Both the boys and girls basketball teams only recently returned to action, following guidelines, and their shortened season has already come to a close.
Catoctin football is set to begin its six-week season come the first week of March, and the preseason has already hit a few bumps in the road. CHS temporarily suspended practices in February, following a positive COVID-19 test in the program. Students and staff were advised to take extra precautions to avoid further delays in the already pushed-back schedule.
If all goes according to plan, March may bring back a sense of normalcy most students haven’t had in well over a year. Fall sports like soccer, volleyball, and field hockey are all kicking off their respective seasons. Unlike basketball, outdoor sports have the potential for social distancing, so spectators may have access to see games in-person.
Widespread distribution of the vaccine has brought some hope that high school sports will finish out the spring season on a high note.
For the athletes, this year will have a different feel to it, playing fewer games and not having the opportunity to compete for state championships. The Cougars’ 2019 state championship title in football remains as the last one to this day.
The defending champions will have to battle for county supremacy instead of playing to state’s top teams in their division until next season.
Other sports still slated on the Cougars athletic calendar include golf, tennis, and cross-country.
More information on dates and times can be found on the Catoctin Athletic Calendar. All dates and times for games and practices are subject to change.
You can also catch games as they play live through Catoctin’s YouTube channel: CHSAthletics FCPS.
