Marysville High School senior Haley Cook prepares to leap over the high jump bar in this file photo. High school sports teams could start the 2020 season on May 9, if the state’s coronavirus lockdown is lifted. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Saturday, May 9…. one month from today.
That’s the date high school spring sports athletes and coaches now have circled on their calendars.
That is the day sports seasons may start across the state, if Ohio Governor Mike DeWine lifts the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
The lockdown was ordered in the middle of March as a way to combat the wide-spread illness.
At that time, all schools and related activities were shut down until the first portion of April.
That order was extended last week through Friday, May 1.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has marched in step with state officials throughout the process.
The OHSAA postponed and then canceled the remaining winter sports tournaments in boys and girls basketball, wrestling and ice hockey.
The organization put all spring sports on hold while schools are closed.
DeWine said state officials would look at lifting those sanctions at the start of next month if medical officials are able to get the COVID-19 outbreak under control.
High school and middle school spring sports events should have already started within the past week.
However, ball diamonds, tennis courts, tracks and lacrosse fields have remained empty and silent.
Coaches are not permitted face-to-face contact with their players during this time.
Restructured spring sports dates are as follows:
Baseball
-Acclimation period: May 4-8;
-Season begins: May 9;
-Tournament draw/coaches meeting: May 17;
-Sectional tournaments: May 23-30 (may not begin any earlier);
-District tournaments: June 1-6;
-Regional tournaments: June 11-12;
-State tournament: June 19-21.
Softball
-Acclimation period: May 4-8;
-Season begins: May 9:
-Tournament draw/coaches meeting: May 24;
-Sectional tournaments: May 30-June 6 (may not begin any earlier);
-District tournaments: June 8-13;
-Regional tournaments: June 15-20;
-State tournament: June 25-27.
Boys and girls Lacrosse
-Acclimation period: May 4-8;
-Season begins: May 9;
-Tournament draw/coaches meeting: May 25;
-Regional qualifying: May 26-30;
-Regional quarterfinals: June 1-4;
-Regionals: June 4-7;
-State semifinals: June 8-10;
State finals: June 13.
Boys Tennis
-Acclimation period: May 4-8;
-Season begins: May 9;
-Tournament draw/coaches meeting: May 24;
-Sectional tournament: May 30-June 6
-District tournament: June 8-13;
-State tournament: June 18-20.
Boys and girls track and field
-Acclimation period: May 4-8;
-Season begins: May 9;
-Tournament draw/coaches meeting: May 31;
-District tournament: June 9-13;
-Regional tournament: June 17-20;
State tournament: June 26-27.
Marysville High School track and field head coach Luke Sundermeier reacted to the revised schedule.
“This is good news if we can get back into school,” he said.
“We’re just rolling with the punches and doing everything we can to prepare,” said Sundermeier. “Any opportunity to compete this spring would be a blessing.
“The seniors have done a tremendous job building a culture of accountability and a support system that is fully engaged right now,” he said. “We’ll be ready.”