Spring sports still possible

There remains some hope that high school student-athletes in the Columbia Basin will have an opportunity to compete this spring.

Executive Director Mick Hoffman provided a short video update about the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s plans for spring sports should school resume at the end of the governor’s “stay-at-home” order, which was extended to May 4, on the organization’s website and social media channels.

“Our current plans include a return by May 4 would allow us to provide some type of culminating events,” he said. “In an ideal world, it would look no different than in previous years. However, that will be contingent upon facilities and officials being available. And that is a very fluid process.”

Hoffman said the WIAA has already begun making contingency plans with board members and district directors to try and provide some kind of competition locally or regionally, such as a district or bi-district tournament, should state championships need to be canceled.

“Our goal is to give anybody that’s interested in competing an opportunity to compete as they had planned,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to provide every senior that senior game.”

Hoffman closed his address by reiterating the importance of following health care guidelines during this uncertain time.

“I also hope in the interim that you do your part,” he said. “That you stay home. You stay healthy and keep us all safe, so we can speed up this process with whatever control we have.”