Northview students share how coronavirus pandemic has blocked their sports season

Noelle Reid, Staff Writer & Krystal Wu, Staff Writer

Running across the finish line, scoring a goal, coming in first place, having the exhilaration pumping in your veins, for some, there was not a chance to have these experiences this year. Because of the safety problems the pandemic raised, it has forced many to cut their sports season out.

“I joined marching band in freshman year, and I really liked it a lot because they taught me to memorize music and how to concentrate on two things at once because you have to both march and play. I really liked hanging out with my friends during games; that was really fun,” senior Morgan Woodard said.

Woodard started playing the clarinet in fourth grade, and she became interested in marching band in eighth grade. She appreciates and enjoys marching band, but this year, she was unable to join the fall season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Woodard’s parents were nervous about COVID-19, especially during the summer when cases were high, so she chose to opt-out of her sport this year. However, as the year passed, many regulations have been set. 

“Everyone has to wear a mask with a face hole so you can close it when you are not playing,” Woodard said. “They also did not do shows this year and they did not travel to other schools this year, so they only played home games. Instead of sitting in the stands, they are down at the endzone spaced out playing.”

Each sport has implemented safety precautions for those who did choose to participate this year. For marching band, with the constant blowing into the instrument, the transfer of germs has a higher potential, but through social distancing and masks, they were able to have a safe season. Even though Woodard was unable to participate in the marching band as a senior, she chose to pursue marching band in college and is currently researching different colleges that offer marching band and the audition pieces to prepare for next year. 

“Marching band was an activity that I was really looking forward to this year, so I was sad about that. I did not have anything to do on Fridays, so I was kind of bored because I did not have anything to do,” Woodard said. 

Woodard hopes marching band is an aspect of her life she can continue to incorporate. She shares how marching band made her Fridays fun and exciting, giving her the chance to hang out with friends and play good music. 

Like Woodard, junior Leela Sydow missed her sports season because of COVID-19. Sydow was on Northview’s girls’ basketball for the first half of the 2020-21 season and found much enjoyment playing the sport. However, after discussing it with her parents, it was decided that she would not return to play the remainder of the season as a safety precaution. Sydow’s mother, Anjali Enjeti-Sydow, expressed concerns about the lack of social distancing and mask-wearing at both games and practices, especially because basketball is played inside. 

“She’s the only one that’s wearing a mask when she’s playing, and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Enjeti-Sydow said.

 The surge of COVID-19 cases in Georgia that followed the holiday season this past winter in combination with the other deterring factors ultimately lead to the decision that Sydow would not play the rest of the 2020-21 season. Although this was a tough decision to come to, she understands that it was necessary for the safety of herself and her family. Now that she is no longer playing the sport, she cannot help but miss the sport because it was something that she thoroughly enjoyed. 

“It’s the best sport ever; it’s so fast-paced and energetic,” Sydow said. “It’s such a fun sport to play,” 

Sydow also misses the time she spent with her teammates as bus rides to away games and practices were a perfect opportunity for them to have fun. Luckily, however, the bond between Sydow and her teammates extends both on and off the court, and they have continued to communicate despite her not playing the rest of the season.

Like many other teenagers who are also missing out on their favorite activities, Sydow was frustrated to see people not doing their best to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Sydow felt as though seeing people in public going against guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control, such as the proper use of masks or social distancing, could feel somewhat defeating.

 “Other people are doing what I want to be doing, but I have boundaries,” Sydow said. “My parents do not allow me to do anything unless it is outside and six feet apart.” 

Sydow, however, is not completely barred from playing a sport this school year. Due to the rate of infection being significantly lower in open spaces, she will most likely be able to play another sport besides basketball, as long as it is outdoors. This upcoming spring sports season, she is looking to play lacrosse for Northview, and if things look up next school year she will return to the basketball court just in time for her senior season. 

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic pulling some students away from their favorite sports, they have learned to adapt. As the vaccine is rolled out slowly but surely, there is a newfound sense of optimism for the school years to come.