The first meet of the year is complete and I think everyone involved feels confident we were able to host a safe event. We made some adjustments to the normal meet structure and undertook a great deal of Covid precautions to get us to the point of hosting meets.
You may be wondering what a Covid-Era track and field meet looks like. The two biggest changes are Covid testing and the measures to ensure physical distancing. Statewide, all collegiate track and field athletes must take a Covid test two times each week. This is a bit of a chore, but the guys have been troopers to have their noses swabbed every Monday and Wednesday. For physical distancing, much of track and field is already set up to accommodate it. All the field events are perfect for Covid-era precautions. There is no need to get that close to a shot putter anyway! Beyond that, the overall meet size has been reduced drastically. Instead of the usual 4-6 teams at a co-ed meet, we are now limiting meets to 2-3 single-gender teams. Team camps were also moved from the track to the Sexton Basketball Arena. These two changes, in addition to not allowing spectators, opened up plenty of space at the track. While it might be great for physical distancing, it diminishes the meet atmosphere. Additionally, competitors wear masks while warming up and in the team camps and only remove them while actually competing.
Ultimately, these changes have meant extra work for many people. From the athletic trainers, facilities managers, dedicated Covid coordinators, and all the coaches who are in a perpetual state of managing Covid. With all the additional duties, I have been asked many times if this is worth it. Is participating in a sport during the Covid-era worth the additional work?
Despite the additional stress of preparing for these larger events and thinking of every possible precaution, the answer is still resoundingly “Yes!” The meet gives a purpose to the training, provides motivation to continue training, and a reason for student-athletes to make smart choices outside of practice. More importantly, it is one of the few in-person social activities students can do. It provides time to be with friends and teammates. Even better, everyone is engaging in an activity that is good for their physical and mental health. Continuing to have meets creates a sense of normalcy and a return to something SJU athletes love to do.
As far as the outcome of the meet, we were rusty. Even the coaches were rusty. The guys needed that first meet as a reality check and many are ready to get to work. Hearing the excitement and nervous energy of competition was supremely gratifying. I’m glad we’re back and we’re doing everything we can to be able to continue the season.
Jeremy
BTW: our next home meet is this Saturday vs. Gustavus and Augsburg. Watch us live at 11:30:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/csbsju/. In addition to getting to see your favorite Johnnie athletes compete, you might get to hear my awesome track meet playlist playing over the PA system.