Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The earliest the high school spring sports season could resume would be sometime after April 24.

Everett School athletic director Robert Polk said that the Everett School District has suspended all competitions through April 24 and all practices until March 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The district will continue to reassess its policy on practices.

The Snohomish School District, which includes Glacier Peak, has canceled all practices and extra curricular activities until April 27. Archbishop Murphy High School has canceled all practices and games and club activities through April 24.

Spring sports include baseball, softball, boys soccer, girls tennis, track and field, and golf. Practices began March 2 and the postseason for the various sports start in early to mid-May, with the state championships scheduled May 28-30.

The state dance/drill championships have been postponed until further notice. The championships were scheduled March 27-29 at the Yakima SunDome.

Polk said that some people are saying that the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) needs to step in. The WIAA does not have jurisdiction over individual school districts, Polk said. Schedules and policies on practices are left up to local school districts.

“I spoke to one coach yesterday. After practice, the kids were in tears,” Polk said. “The situation is fluid and unsettling.”

Gov. Jay Inslee has issued an order closing all public and private schools in Washington state through April 24.

Inslee had initially announced the closure of schools only in King, Snohomish and Pierce countries, but expanded the order statewide.

In recent days, Inslee has ordered all restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities to temporarily close. Take-out and deliveries services are still permitted. Inslee also announced a ban on events of 50 or more people, and gatherings of 50 and under must meet strict guidelines on public health and social distancing.

Youth sports also were among the activities included in Inslee’s most recent closure order.

Mukilteo School District athletic director Beth VanderVeen said the delay of the spring sports season has been a trying time for all of its athletes, but especially for the upperclassmen.

“The reality is we want people to be safe and to make good decisions,” she said.

The Edmonds School District has canceled all practices through April 24.

“Our coaches are worried about the health of their athletes and understand the big picture of what is happening and the necessity to shut spring sports down at this point,” Edmonds-Woodway athletic director Angie McGuire said.

McGuire added that coaches have advised athletes to stay healthy and to help to keep those around them healthy.

“Our spring sport coaches have encouraged their athletes to stay focused, so if they have the opportunity to return to practice later in the season, they will be ready,” McGuire said. “We will just have to wait and see if they will have the opportunity to compete.”