Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

MHSA cancels spring sports

The Montana High School Association announced last week spring activities would be cancelled for the 2019-20 school year.

The announcement came shortly after Governor Steve Bullock issued a reopening plan for the state that allow districts to determine if they would return to school May 7.

"Because of the previous MHSA Board action, resumption of spring activities depended on our student's ability to return to in-person instruction without restrictions by May 4th and if in-person instruction didn't resume by that time without restrictions, spring activities would be cancelled. The spring 2020 is cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting communities across our country," Beckman said.

Whitehall High School track and field coach Dan Lacey said it is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved but credited the MHSA for handling the situation and keeping the safety of the athletes as their number one priority.

"I feel for the senior athletes that don't get the opportunity to compete at the high school level again. You truly do never know when your last opportunity to complete is so I think this will hit home for younger athletes around the state as well to really take advantage of their opportunities," he said.

According to Beckman, the MHSA Executive Board proceeded with cautious optimism holding on to hope to realistically resume spring activities.

"It would be difficult to conduct meaningful spring activities from this late date, with many schools deciding not to return to in-person instruction, with the social distancing recommendations still in place, and along with many other factors," he said. "We empathize with all the students, schools, and communities that this decision impacts, and especially with the many seniors that have shown maturity and resolve as their culminating year of high school has been impacted beyond activities and athletics due to this COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 will not be forgotten."

 

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