All of Wyoming’s fall high school sports will begin as they were originally scheduled, officials have announced.
The Wyoming High School Activities Association announced in a release Tuesday that thanks to a collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Department of Education, new guidelines have been implemented to allow a return of the six sports offered in the fall.
“We are excited for our students,” WHSAA Commissioner Ron Laird said in the release. “We appreciate the WDH and WDE working with us to be able to approve a plan we all believe can safely return our students to their sport. This is a great example of how working together will allow our students to continue to enhance their educational experience. We know the mental and emotional issues those students experienced last spring when track and soccer were cancelled.”
Practices are slated to begin Aug. 10 for 4A football, golf and tennis. On Aug. 17, practice will begin for cross country, class 1A, 2A and 3A football, girls’ swimming and diving and volleyball.
The WHSAA board will provide further guidance to the schools concerning the six sports to assist them in their efforts to guarantee social distancing for each sport. Reducing the total number of competitors at each event will be a priority.
Adjustments to reduce event numbers will also be considered.
“I cannot overstate the importance of allowing students to safely participate in activities this fall,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said in the release. “Activities are essential to the physical, emotional, and social well being of our children and fundamental to our mission in K-12 education of building character and necessary skills in our youth. My staff, the WHSAA, and the Wyoming Department of Health have diligently created a framework for activities that schools and communities can use this fall. It will take all of us, including parents and the students, doing our part to make this fall successful.”
