Good news for the boys swim team. The program is set to start its practices on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The boys’ swim team is considered a low/moderate risk sport and therefore may start its winter season on Jan. 19.
It is the only Pine Bush winter sport to qualify as low/moderate risk. The decision to classify a sport’s risk is done by the state of New York. Basketball, cheerleading and wrestling are all considered high risk for the COVID-19 virus. There is no indoor track because West Point, the site of indoor track meets, announced it would not host the events.
“We are excited to get back,” said Mike Gillespie, the district’s athletic director. “It will be good to get back into swimming.”
Gillespie explained that meets will be virtual, with Pine Bush swimming here at Pine Bush High School and opponents swimming in their respective pools. An official will be in each location, start times will be the same as will scoring. The competitors just won’t be swimming side by side. The officials will enter the times online to see who won the races.
All student-athletes must complete a daily health survey each day he or she is participating in either a practice or meet.
Fall II season
The Fall II season is set to begin on March 1, with sign-ups to start on FamilyID on Feb. 1. Those sports include:
- girls/boys soccer
- girls/boys cross country
- girls field hockey
- girls tennis
- girls swimming and diving
Those sports have been deemed low/moderate risk. Football, volleyball and cheerleading have been deemed high risk, as of now. That may change.
Spring season
The spring sports season is set to begin April 19. Sign-up will begin on March 22. Boys lacrosse is the only sport considered high risk by the state, so far. The following sports will be set to begin on April 19:
- girls golf
- boys golf
- girls softball
- boys baseball
- girls/boys track and field
- boys tennis
- girls lacrosse