Chloe Burdette
Editor in Chief
For most athletes at the Division III level, a true season in the midst of this almost year-long pandemic was a mere dream. Yet, as schools such as The College of Wooster started their spring semester, many coaches and athletes were given the small, yet hopeful chance to participate in their sport — with many tough, but necessary changes to their normal practice and play schedule to ensure safety in this uncertain time.
Although some athletes were hesitant to get into a practice schedule just as they were getting back into their pandemic-looming college routine, most senior athletes were simply happy enough with the thought of a game, practice or event.
“Going into the spring, I was surprised that we had the opportunity to do indoor track and I was a bit hesitant about it,” track and field runner Emma Busch ’21 said. “Nevertheless, the coaches have worked with us on an individual basis to create a training schedule that fits everyone’s individual comfort levels while also allowing us to have some semblance of a season.” Busch applauds her coaching staff and teammates for putting everyone’s safety as top priority. “For running, we stick to small training pods and have multiple times we can come in to practice, as well as the option to do all training outside if anyone feels uncomfortable being on the indoor track,” she added.
Head track and field coach Dennis Rice echoed Busch’s statements, stating that in order to practice and compete in any way, they must be following every protocol in place. “We have established training groups for the sprinters, jumpers, throwers, distance and middle distance runners to keep contact low,” Rice stated. “Coaches will always be masked, as well as runners when in close contact with their teammates including in the locker room and any pre-practice meetings.”
As for women’s lacrosse, Head Coach Liz Ford explained to her team that they must stay careful not only on the field, but off the field as well. “As a team, we are working through practices with our masks on to prepare for play in them,” Ford said. “We are making sure not to touch equipment such as lacrosse balls, cones and other items to minimize contact points. We have to take precautions to ensure we are safe and can continue to play.” For senior lacrosse player Claire Truscott ’21, she is adamant on playing safely to stay healthy. “This is my last lacrosse season, so I am happy to play, but will do anything to keep myself and others on my team healthy as this should be our predominant focus.”
For basketball, both teams were under the impression that they were not getting a season.
“Mentally, the pandemic took a toll on a lot of students but also a lot of student athletes who could no longer practice or be around their teammates,” women’s basketball coach Nicole Marshall said. “Now that our teams are back and practicing, the vibes and spirits of my players are off the charts. They are so much happier and have hope they will actually be able to play.”
Marshall believes her duty is to make sure her players know how significant it is to stay safe and lead by example. “I make sure my team knows the consequences if they don’t do what is right,” she said. “They know if they don’t follow the rules or do what the College is saying to do, that we are all going to end up back at home, and nobody wants that. I just continuously remind them that they need to be the leaders on campus and make sure people are doing the right thing.”
Men’s basketball head coach, Doug Cline, is happy for the opportunity, but knows that this has taken a toll on his players when it comes to togetherness and bonding as a team. “In my 26 years of coaching college basketball, this has been the most difficult year,” he said. “The pandemic has undoubtedly kept us from developing as a team … Most of our team communication prior to practice was on microsoft teams/zoom, and we missed out on not being able to talk as a team in person. If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us, it is to not take anything for granted.”