UPATED: Governor Reynolds cancels spring sports season

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor

sports@beeherald.com

Navigating through a long-winded and fact-based speech, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds struck down a historical statement of epic proportions last Friday, April 17 canceling school for the rest of the year, simultaneously halting the spring sports calendar. More than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 have sprung up in Iowa since the decision was made, proving the inevitable. As a whole, Iowa has produced more than 3,500 positive cases (as of April 21) as the scope continues to expand.
Though Reynolds’ bold statement was a decision perhaps many expected due to the pandemic outbreak, it still came as a shock to athletic programs across the state. Greene County High School, with it’s throng of spring programs, felt the strong burn as well.   
“My heart aches right now,” Greene County activities director Todd Gordon said on Facebook. “There are no words that can be said at this time that ease the initial sting we all feel. We will begin to pull some things together in the upcoming days as we meet as an activities staff.”
Iowa’s spring sports season had originally been suspended through April 10 due to the increasing spread of Coronavirus, then were further delayed until the first of May before Reynolds made her permanent decision today (April 17). A spring sports ban means no thrilling state track and field meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, usually spectated by tens of thousands of fans, no state soccer tournament, and no golf postseason, either. Though no Greene County school fields a team, tennis has also been canceled. The state of Iowa sadly witnessed its most concerning outbreak over the following weekend and the ensuing two days. From Saturday, April 18 through April 21, Iowa had confirmed 1,314 new cases, the highest four-day surge since the Coronavirus outbreak began in late January. Iowa’s death total was at 83 as of April 21 while just under 28,000 residents had been tested out of Iowa’s 3.1 million residents, less than one percent of folks living within the state.
Words of encouragement, as well as disappointment, were spilled across social media as athletes and coaches attempted to digest the maddening news. The Iowa High School Athletic Association was quick to offer a comment April 17, urging everyone to consider why these drastic measures were taken.
“While we are disappointed that student-athletes will not have the opportunity to compete this spring, we remain committed to our primary goal of keeping students, coaches, officials and communities safe,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said in a release. “This cancellation comes out of an abundance of caution for the well-being of all. Conducting our spring season would involve moving groups of people in and out of various communities for competition. At this time we believe that is a risk we should not take.”
Iowa High School Girls’ Athletic Union executive director Jean Berger shared feelings of sympathy as well in the joint press release, noting the importance athletics play in communities across the state. A tradition shuttered in a slow, but expectant decision was never going to be welcomed, but she said the well-being of residents - young and old - is more important than medals and trophies. Sports were canceled for fear of further spread - there is currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19, and thanks to its highly-contagious state, makes large gatherings of any kind difficult. It’s not exactly fair or reasonable to expect athletes to practice proper safety - i.e. face masks, hand-washing, social distancing of six feet - out on the playing field.
“We must support the health and safety recommendations of our state and national leaders,” Berger said. “This decision is especially heartbreaking for our senior competitors, and we thank them for all they have done to represent their schools throughout their careers.”
Greene County’s athletic department offered a helping hand in this time of confusion as well. Gordon encouraged students to reach out to the school. No request is too much. He hopes to provide some sense of comfort during a never-before-seen cancellation.
“The main thing that I can tell you right now is that we love you,” Gordon said. “We are proud of you and will we always support you. Please, never forget there is an army of people who feel that way about you. You matter and you are important. You are not alone.”
Greene County boys’ soccer coach Carl Behne was poised to lead a veteran squad in their efforts to reach back-to-back state tournaments before their season was derailed. He dished out some words of encouragement on social media, too.
“We will support and recover,” the coach said April 17. “It may not fell like it now, but we will.”
The senior class that never had the chance to prove their worth is what hurts most, Greene County boys’ golf coach Heath Telleen said. No chance to prove their growth and abilities one final time.
It has taken a few days to set in,” the coach said. “I miss the routine of practice and being around the kids. I know we would have been a much-improved team and I hurt for my seniors in particular.”
Greene County girls’ soccer coach, Marilyn Tasler, who was instrumental in helping athletes unfamiliar with the sport not only understand the popular activity but push them to become better players, weighed in on the historic cancellation.
“The canceling of the season has brought about a lot of feelings for me,” she said. “This season was special to me because many of the soccer girls I have coached since they were 10-12 years old. That being said, they are all such a great group of young ladies. They have endured and overcome many things and become stronger physically and mentally; this is just a little hiccup in their lives.
I will so miss them all as this also is my last season of coaching soccer. Stay strong and remember all the memories you have created.”
As of Wednesday, the baseball and softball season remains suspended and on track for a June start. A decision on the totality of the schedule will be made next month.