Sanderson High School athletics are making a comeback despite major setbacks due to COVID-19. SHS sports have started up and many teams are back in full swing for the first time since March 2020. 

Sanderson teams including volleyball, cross country, and the swim team are already well into their season while cheer and basketball are holding tryouts in the coming days. 

The football and women’s lacrosse programs have also started pre-season workouts in hopes of getting a jump on conditioning and team building. 

While Sanderson teams have had to adjust in order to adhere to COVID-19 precautions, student-athletes agree that the positives of being able to play far outweigh the restrictions. 

The Sanderson volleyball team celebrated their senior night on December 1st and is scheduled to finish out their season in the next couple of weeks. Volleyball captain and senior Sydney McCall exclaimed that their season is going great, “Going to practice every day makes this year feel more normal, and being a part of the team gives all of us a sense of belonging.” 

Fellow team member Katie Whitesell shared,“Playing volleyball during COVID-19 has been different but we are making it work. Fans are no longer allowed in the stands, masks are required, everything is being sanitized. The team has had to adjust, but we are all pretty close so it hasn’t been too hard.” 

Athletics at SHS play a huge part in the life of students, allowing them to become involved with peers and coaches who push them to be their best. The current pandemic may have changed a lot for students this year but the chance to be a part of a team is still there.

The Sanderson swim team has faced many setbacks this year and was forced to make more cuts than usual. Senior team member Erin Mueller described how different their season is this year compared to in past years because a very limited number of people can practice in each lane and be taken to meets.

Mueller said, “I’m glad it could still happen because it’s my senior season so I want to soak up whatever I have left since we can’t be in person for school quite yet!”

Athletes take pride in what they do and the opportunity to continue playing sports despite all the negative things happening in the world has proven vital to many Spartans.

Cross country athlete Sean McSoley stated, “Although wearing masks and social distancing can sometimes be hard to do, we power through it. Everyone enjoys spending time with each other as a team.”  

Although the doors to Sanderson classrooms remain closed, students continue finding ways to connect with fellow Spartans on fields, courts and in pools alike.