Kenai Peninsula high school sports programs stand on the sidelines waiting for the KPBSD risk levels to drop to the Medium “Yellow” Level; while the Municipality of Anchorage and the Anchorage School District revised their protocols in August; not only to allow practices, but also to allow full competitions within the district. Beginning with football in late August, ASD declared intra-district competition would be allowed regardless of the High “Red” Level referring to the covid-19 guidelines.
The KPBSD allows for restricted practices under “Red”, but no competitions.
According to Kyle McFall, athletic director at Soldotna High School, “While competitions cannot occur when our region (KPBSD) is in the high risk category, our athletes will continue to be given opportunities to practice and engage in physical activity by utilizing ASAA and district approved mitigation plans. Once the Central Peninsula has moved out of the high risk level, we can move forward with competitions and some sort of culminating event that provides excitement and closure for these athletes.”
Area athletic programs wait for the KPBSD to approve return to play.
So, high school football for peninsula teams is unceremoniously over. Volleyball and Swimming & Diving are on hold, waiting for competition to resume and the possibility of a season ending event.
“We (SoHi) will continue to work with state and district officials to ensure that our swim and volleyball programs are able to finish their respective regular seasons”, Kyle McFall.
ASAA has authorized the continuation of regular season regional play and regional championships through November 21st.
KPBSD, at the high school level, currently has programs waiting to continue their seasons in Region III 3A volleyball (Kenai, Nikiski, Homer and Seward) and 4A volleyball (SoHi) and Region III swimming.
ASAA has granted approval at the state level…
“For the activities currently in season, Regions are allowed to complete their Regional championships, if they are able to do so prior to November 22, 2020. This decision applies to the following: Football, Swim & Dive, Gymnastics, Rifle, Music, Esports, DDF and Volleyball,” ASAA release on October 13th.
The KPBSD, has evaluated and is holding firm to its decision to restrict competition under “Red” status; choosing not to follow ASAA and ASD in providing regulated, controlled opportunities to continue competitions for volleyball and swimming.
In Anchorage (in-spite-of the usual “we don’t care how they do it in Anchorage), The Anchorage School District Cook Inlet Conference football playoffs continue with championship Saturday scheduled for Oct. 24th. Cook Inlet Conference volleyball, following a two-week shutdown due to COVID-19, restarted the regular season on Friday with a full slate of games featuring six schools. Three swim teams competed at Service High School on Friday in a tri-meet in the Service pool.
The Municipality of Anchorage has been in High “Red” Risk Level the entire school year and has yet to open public schools to in-school instruction.
The Municipality of Anchorage totaled 1317 cases in the past 14 days (through Oct. 17) averaging 94.07 cases per day (through Oct. 17).
The Municipality of Anchorage is sponsoring high school sports competitions with covid protocols and restrictions.
On the Kenai Peninsula, the risk/reward discussion regarding opening high school athletics continues.
