Coaches’ Thoughts on Postponements of Sports

By: Isabella Valero

Since quarantine and staying home bled into the new school year due to Covid-19, the student-athletes of Redwood High School have been left wondering what their new sports season would be like. Everyone is confused during this time and no one is sure when things will go back to normal, but coaches and athletes are still trying to determine what their sports season is going to look like this year. 

No one is sure if Fall and Winter sports seasons are going to be postponed even further or considered a Spring sport at this time. Coaches explain what they have planned for their athletes and what practices and game schedules will look like. They also talk about their thoughts on whether or not there will be a season at all this year.

Every team works hard to represent Redwood High School and coaches, staff, and athletes are hoping that things will go back to normal soon. These coaches work hard by attempting to make plans for their upcoming seasons under these stressful times, while also giving their thoughts on what it will be like for their athletes as well.

Varsity Baseball Coach, Dan Hydash: 

As the Varsity Baseball Coach, Dan Hydash and his baseball team’s season was cut short due to Covid-19, he sheds some light on the subject of this year’s season by saying that they are fortunate enough to have a full season scheduled this year starting on March 27th. His main goal is to treat the upcoming season like any typical one, and to continue to work hard and defend their WYL Championship title. The team and him will continue to strive and meet Redwood’s expectations for greatness. 

As a coach whose season was cut short, Hydash explains that he was understandably disappointed but knew that the postponement was done for the health and safety of everyone. He was also looking forward to getting the young players more practice and defending their WYL championship. He knows that it is possible for the quarantine to take a toll on the athletes progress in the sport but hopes that his players will find time on their own to get better.

 “A lot of players are training on their own and are playing on various teams, so hopefully when we are given the ok to start working most of our players are in relatively good baseball shape.”, said Coach Hydash. 

Hydash explains that since baseball is a Spring sport, and if they are allowed to play, there shouldn’t be any restrictions on group sizes or contact. Once they are given the green light they are going to continue games and practices like normal. 

Because of quarantine, it has been hard for most athletes to keep motivation and Hydash explains that the athletes should be using this time to their advantage.

 “Student athletes should be staying on top of homework and school work so in the Spring there aren’t any obstacles in regards to school holding any players back” and that “with student-athletes education always comes first”, said Coach Hydash.

As a coach, Dan Hydash, “is excited to get back together and get back to work.” And believes that there will be a talented team of athletes in the future who are excited to compete and represent the Redwood Rangers.

Varsity Softball Coach, Bob Rooney: 

Bob Rooney’s plan for the season if they return would be to start conditioning March 1st and then begin their practicing on March 15th. They have home games scheduled for April 8-10th for Redwood’s Invitational Softball Tournament, and they also have their first game scheduled for March 27th at the Clovis Easter Classic. Coach Rooney’s hopes for the new upcoming season would be that they start scrimmaging on March 24th and the season will continue on until June 21st. 

It was upsetting to the athletes and Coach Rooney when their season was cancelled last year. Coach Rooney said, “it was obviously disappointing, and sad for the two Seniors on last year’s team, Mariah Guerrero and Ashley Wainwright.” 

They were in total disbelief but understood that the pandemic was worldwide and is affecting everyone not just athletes. He explains that this year’s Seniors who are planning to play at the next level, “for the most part, already have or are in the process of positioning themselves for the next chapter in their softball career”. 

Coach Rooney’s hopes for the new upcoming season are to win every game and since they are Division 1 again they plan to play every game competitively and at their best level. Coach Rooney understands that since quarantine started there would be an effect on the players not only on the softball team but any team, although it won’t stop the athletes from training on their own. 

Rooney said “that’s what the best players do, they figure out how to stay in shape and practice their skills so when we do come back they are ready to go.” 

Coach Rooney is excited and very optimistic about the team and his players, and believes that they are resilient young athletes who will continue to work hard. 

Varsity Girls Soccer Coach, Jason Vieria: 

Coach Vieria’s thoughts on the new upcoming season are that he plans on preparing the girls soccer team like they always do. They are going to adhere to the social distancing guidelines and any other rules that the district or school enforces. He explains how bummed he was when he found out that they may not even have a season at all. 

Vieria explains that the general idea for his upcoming season would be to practice like normal, although he doesn’t know what the soccer games would be like because it is a physical sport and keeping the kids separated at 6 feet would be difficult. During quarantine, Coach Vieria has been letting his athletes know that it is important to stay in shape while also doing the right thing by following social distancing guidelines. 

The quarantine does have an impact on athletes because of the risk of injuries that could happen from lack of play, but they will continue to work hard and attempt to reach their goal of winning a 10th straight WYL Title and CIF Valley Championship. 

Varsity Volleyball Coach, Alana Montgomery:

Just like all the coaches and athletes, Varsity Coach Alana Montgomery has high hopes for the new season. Her plan is always to encourage the girls to play their best even though she understands the struggle and challenge of having a shortened season. Her and the rest of her staff’s initial reaction was disappointment, but what came down to it, was that the health and well-being of her players was more important than ever. 

She is hoping that everything will be the same for when it is time to have games and practices, but she is going to be sure to leave room for any restrictions necessary and will always follow the guidelines of the school board. When it comes to preparedness, Coach Montgomery and her helpful staff have been providing the girls with individual at home workouts and words of encouragement. 

Coach Montgomery said that she is, “trying to guide them to stay in shape and to be prepared to go in December.”

Her main goal is for the team to do their best in the league and hopefully reach the playoffs but most importantly keeping in mind everyone’s health and making sure her players are healthy. With quarantine happening it would definitely take a toll on her players and how they will play.

Coach Montgomery and her staff said “it will absolutely affect how the athletes play. There has been hours and hours of missed playtime, individual workouts and team building… We are mindful of this and are going to do our best as a coaching staff.”

All in all, Montgomery and her coaching staff will continue to put in the effort to be the best team that they can be. Her and her staff will still keep a positive mindset through these stressful times even though they miss their players.

Montgomery said that they miss “talking to them as individuals and learning about them as players and people.” They hope to get the opportunity to play hard as Redwood Rangers and show what they can do.

These are just some of the many coaches’ thoughts on how the recent Covid-19 had affected their upcoming sports season. Although disappointed about the postponement, or cancellation of their sports last season, they all share optimistic points of view on how their athletes will do when it is time to play again, and they are all eager to get back to work and represent Redwood’s name and sports program.

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