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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Athletes prepare for return of sports

Athletes+prepare+for+return+of+sports

Athletic training is difficult to do when the majority of local facilities have been closed, lifting weights is challenging when gyms and weight rooms are shut down, and staying active is nearly impossible when it’s considered too dangerous to be outside due to the air quality. Due to the uncertainty surrounding high school sports this year, it has been harder than ever for athletes to stay both mentally and physically prepared for sports seasons.

With the various complications presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent California wildfires, such as the closure of facilities, stay-at-home orders, and spare-the-air warnings, athletes have had to find alternative ways to stay ready for the return of sports.

“I have definitely had to be more creative and find new ways to prepare for the season,” sophomore Michael Aikawa said.

Aikawa, who made and started for the PHS varsity baseball team last year, said that he had most of his freshman season cancelled due to COVID-19.

“I’ve found myself practicing on fields that I’ve never been to before, and sometimes even in parking lots,” Aikawa said. “It’s been hard, but I’ve tried to keep pushing myself to stay prepared and get better in any ways that I can.”

The closure of many local facilities has also made it challenging for athletes to practice, Aikawa said. The PHS baseball field has remained closed since sports were officially postponed in March. Additionally, Witter Field only recently reopened after it had been closed for an extended period of time.

“Local facilities being closed has forced me to adapt and find new ways to practice,” Aikawa said, “Even though I haven’t been able to practice and prepare like I normally would, I have tried to be consistent and do my drills and workouts every day.”

Despite all the complications that Aikawa, as well many other athletes have been facing, he said that he has not lost his motivation to continue working. “I really want to get back on the field,” Aikawa said. “And I want to continue to improve so that I’m ready for whenever sports may resume.”

The closure of the Piedmont pool has had a major impact on athletes whose sport requires a pool, such as swimming or water polo, senior Jake Hart said.

“It’s been tough to find space to workout and get ready for the upcoming season,” Hart said. “Especially for a sport like waterpolo where you can’t just go outside and practice, you have to find a pool that is available and has space.”

Hart, a two year varsity athlete for the PHS water polo team, is among the many water polo players who have been confined in terms of practicing and training.

“The restrictions on pool space have been a big factor as well,” Hart said, “And even when we are able to get in the pool, we can’t have full on scrimmages.”

Although the school team hasn’t begun any form of organized training, various club teams opened during the summer, allowing for small groups to schedule workouts.

“That’s how I did my normal water polo workouts up until the school year started, and since then, I’ve transitioned to doing a lot of body weight exercises, just things that I can do at home,” Hart said.

Hart said that he has continued to train and prepare for his senior season despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19 and the recent fires because of his love for the game.

“I’ve realized how important it [water polo] is to me, and that has motivated me to make this a season to remember,” Hart said.

“Because I probably won’t play competitively in college, it’s important to me that I make the most out of the opportunities that I have.”

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