Spring sports and all sports related activities were put on hold by the KHSAA on March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in alignment with high school, college and professional associations across the country.
A surreal few days that began on March 11 when the coronavirus threatened and finally postponed or cancelled all sporting events locally, across the state and to major national events like March Madness, The Masters and the start of the Major League Baseball season as well as international events like the Tokyo Olympics.
Cancellations came quickly for local sports fans starting on March 12 when the KHSAA suspended the Girl’s Sweet Sixteen tournament at Rupp Arena as the Lady Marshals were about to take the floor in their first round game against Henderson County. The stands already filled with the faithful Orange and Blue.
The first KHSAA “dead period” went through April 12 followed by an extension to that time frame, currently set at May 1.
As of Friday, 30 states have announced the closing of schools for the remainder of the year and Kentucky joined that list on Monday (Apr. 20) as announced by Governor Andy Beshear.
With that announcement, there is little chance Marshall County High School spring sports will take the field of play, leaving senior student-athletes without their final farewell…a final season with teammates. A last chance to achieve those milestones, personal bests or championship moments. Never dreaming that their last game, meet, match or tournament took place, in many cases, nearly a year ago.
We are going to recognize these senior student-athletes of spring, starting this week, which includes baseball, track and field, tennis, bass fishing and trap teams. Softball has no seniors on this year’s squad.
Unlike the NCAA who granted collegiate spring sports seniors an extra year of eligibility if desired, high school seniors do not have that option. A few will go on to continue their sport at the collegiate level, but for most, they will not get to properly close out their school sports career.
So while we continue through this spring with no sports…as fields, tracks and courts sit empty…we want to congratulate the Class of 2020 senior student-athletes on a job well done and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.