PORT ANGELES — Some of the guess work surrounding the potential return of prep athletics was cleared away when the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association approved shortened seasons for spring and winter sports.
Fall sports were moved back to their traditional spot at the front of the line in earlier action by the WIAA Executive Board, with practices set to begin Feb. 1 for a seven-week season running through March 21.
Competitions are allowed for sports considered low-risk such as boys and girls cross country and girls swim and dive in Phase 1 of the state’s new Healthy Washington Reopening Plan. Other fall prep activities including moderate-risk sports such as girls soccer, volleyball and the high-risk sport of football must wait until the four-county Northwest Region, comprised of Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties reaches four health metrics.
The metrics are: trend in the 14-day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population; trend in 14-day rate of new hospital admissions per 100,000; average seven-day percent occupancy of ICU beds and a seven-day percent positive of COVID-19 tests.
The Northwest Region hit three of four metrics in the most recent Roadmap to Recovery Report issued last Friday, falling short in the hospital admission category due to a 114-percent rise in the region.
Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry explained at Tuesday’s Clallam County Board of Health meeting that the rise in regional hospital admissions stems from a number of long-term care facility outbreaks in Kitsap County.
Spring sports, all of which are contested outdoors, will follow in Season 2 with practices starting March 15 and the season concluding May 1.
High-risk winter sports such as basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, dance and drill, along with moderate-risk sports of gymnastics and girls bowling and low-risk boys swim and dive, will begin practices April 26 and wrap up June 12.
High-risk indoor sports have the biggest hurdles ahead with no guidance from the state Department of Health or Governor’s Office on reaching a potential Phase 3, or what requirements and considerations athletes, coaches and administrators will need to meet if a Phase 3 is announced.
“Based on the risk levels assigned to traditional winter activities compared to traditional spring activities, the Executive Board made the decision that those spring activities will have the opportunity to play much earlier than winter activities,” WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman said in a release. “The Board will continue to monitor the status of activities over the coming months to ensure that those traditional spring sports receive a chance to participate.”
A full season calendar, as well as a summary of current guidelines issued by the state Department of Health, can be found at https://tinyurl.com/PDN-WIAACovid.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@ peninsuladaily news.com.
