Winnebago athletes adjust to IHSA rules

By Christopher Johnson

REPORTER

There have been many modifications required to allow activities to continue in the Winnebago School District. That included changing how this year’s qualified fall sports students prep themselves for their own second season.

The IHSA mandated that there would be a limited sports schedule played across districts across the State of Illinois this year, due to the influence of COVID-19.

Only a handful of athletes, comparatively speaking, even got a chance to set a foot on a field or course this fall.

It didn’t stop some students at Winnebago High School from trying something different this time around though, and according to Athletic Director Will Hartje, that has opened up an interesting situation.

“Fall sports were changed, and we had to change with them, and so did our student athletes. We got a couple kids that normally play football that have chosen cross country or golf this season.”

Those students who did go out for golf or cross country this season in District 323 could be looking at a unique year, Hartje explained.

“Because of the change to the IHSA schedule, some of our athletes have a chance to be four-season players,” he said.

Hartje stated that having to make adjustments, because of the change in schedule, meant a different approach to competition had to develop.

He explained that because of determinations made in Springfield, meets, such as those needed to be held for cross country had to look a lot different than in past seasons.

“That was one of the challenges we had. Usually a cross country meet could have seven to 10, or even 10 to 16 teams. That would include varsity boys and girls and middle school runners.”

The IHSA modified that rule, stating outdoor events could consist of no more than 50 people, total, in a race. That meant more races had to be run.

The Winnebago AD said he felt that helped the team get a little more experience in heading into the cross country second season, which wraps up the fall sports calendar with the crowning of champions on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The four-season design had student windows of play opened from August to the end of October for fall sports, November to February for winter, March to May for spring and now, following a meeting of the IHSA Executive Commission, on Monday, Sept. 14, even that has changed.

It was stated that the summer games play schedule has been modified, according to information on the IHSA digital operations page.

“The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors approved several updates to the IHSA Return to Activities guidelines for the 2020-2021 year.”

It was explained that the Commission had to update its school season, games-allowed weekly limitation schedules for winter, spring and summer sports, to allow for possible overlap of action.

It was clarified on the IHSA home digital site and additionally reported through the Monday meeting, that the start time for season play was also changed.

“The summer season will begin two weeks earlier than initially announced. Summer sports, including baseball, softball, track and field, girls soccer, lacrosse, boys tennis and boys volleyball can now being practice on April 19 with games starting the week of May 3.”