Monmouth College recently announced that they will be allowing athletes to compete this year for spring sports (baseball, softball, tennis, outdoor track and field, lacrosse, and golf). After almost a year of having no competition athletes are now getting a chance to experience that again.
“I’m excited just to get back out there and race,” said Senior track runner Kirsten Menke. “ It’s been a long time.”
Midwest Conference schools will be permitted to engage in spring competition against non-conference opponents as long as they adhere to the conference’s COVID-19 return-to-play protocol.
The guidelines for athletics have changed due to COVID-19. “During spring sports competition, the Monmouth community will continue to adhere to best practices and guidelines so that we can ensure the safety and health of our students, coaches, officials, guest teams and fans, said Monmouth Director of Athletics Roger Haynes.
During track practice the athletes must wear a mask while on the indoor track at all times. “When you’re doing four miles with a mask on it gets very difficult,” said Menke. The team now has to practice at different times and in separate groups instead of together like the year before. “I miss the team atmosphere,” said Menke. “It’s very quiet and I feel like everyone is just a little bit lost…I defiantly miss what it was like the last three years, but I am excited to compete one last time.”
Spring sports are expected to start between late March and mid-April and will end by mid-May.
Mik Moore - Contributing Writer