New requirements issued by state association

With fall sports finished for the year, winter sports are just around the corner. As the number of cases within the school district, the county and the state continue to rise, there is understandably some concern over whether basketball and wrestling will actually take place.

The Wyoming High School Athletics Association (WSHAA) have made no indication that winter sports, at least statewide, will be suspended. The association, however, did release updated guidance for both wrestling and basketball that applies to both spectators and participants.

Sports fans in Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) will, likely, have become familiar with the requirement to wear masks while at volleyball games. As was reported previously (see “Protecting the season” on page 10 of the October 14 Saratoga Sun), the district wide requirement for spectators to wear masks at all times was in preparation for the basketball season, which would see more attendance than volleyball games.

On November 16, WHSAA releasd their updated guidance which not only required that spectators must always wear masks while in the building, but it included all people in attendance.

“For athletics and activities,” the updated guidance reads, “face coverings must always be worn by coaches, staff, officials, parents and spectators while in the building. Players and participants should refrain from wearing face coverings during strenuous activity.”

While mask wearing was already being observed to some extent by both participants, when off the court, and spectators in the district, the new guidelines now make this practice statewide.

In addition to the requirement of masks for all attendees at a sporting event, the guidelines from WHSAA also prohibit the pratice of holding team dinners either before or after the events.

The new guidelines go into effect immediately. The winter sports season for CCSD2 will, likely, begin at the beginning of December.