Update: CHS follows ASAA protocols for fall sports

Cross country, swimming volleyball commence with pandemic precautions

Volleyball practice at Cordova Jr./Sr. High School gym. (Sept. 30, 2020) Photo by Zachary Snowdon Smith/The Cordova Times

Updated 12:05 p.m., Oct. 5

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to append a truncated quote from Cordova schools activities director Kayti Ammerman. The corrected quote clarifies that face coverings should be used by players when not engaging in vigorous activity per ASAA’s recommendations.

Cordova High School has started a number of fall sports while carefully following Alaska School Activities Association protocols.

Junior high and high school cross country began Sept. 3, and individual swimming on Sept. 8. Both are ASAA Tier I activities, defined as those that can be done with physical distancing or individually with no sharing of equipment.

“Travel is not permitted at this time, but we are reevaluating every two weeks,” activities director Kayti Ammerman said.

CHS volleyball practice began Sept. 17. Volleyball is an ASAA Tier 2 sport, defined as any activity involving close sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of viral transmission between participants, or intermittent close contact, or the use of equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants.

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“At this time, both players and coaches are wearing masks during practices except when engaged in vigorous activities,” Ammerman said.

ASAA moved the high school wrestling start date to Nov. 2. Wrestling is classified as a Tier 3 sport, as it involves close sustained contact between participants and lack of significant protective barriers.

“Currently, there is no specific wrestling information from ASAA on their COVID-19 Return-to-Practice protocols and procedures,” Ammerman said.

Basketball, one of Alaska’s most popular sports, is on hold as well.

Gwethalyn Jacob practices volleyball at the Cordova Jr./Sr. High School gym. (Sept. 30, 2020) Photo by Zachary Snowdon Smith/The Cordova Times

“ASAA is considering moving the basketball season to after the winter holidays,” Ammerman said. “Once we have more information from ASAA regarding start dates and protocols, we then can move forward with developing our own mitigation plans.”

She said Cordova School District is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of participants, coaches and volunteers.

“We will be taking COVID-19 specific precautions to make sure coaches, students, and volunteers are safe during the 2020-21 school year,” Ammerman said. “While we recognize the physical and mental benefits of participation in sports and activities is essential, we have a public responsibility to weigh these benefits against the need to protect students and coaches from the increasing risk of COVID-19 exposure in our community.”

The Cordova School District will follow recommendations of ASAA Return to Practice/Play Protocols, with modifications specific to Cordova, where applicable, and will continue to monitor as new information becomes available, added Ammerman.

“Our focus for the early part of the school year, rather than competition, will be on cultivating and preserving the cooperative and individualized aspects inherent to team sports and activities,” she said.

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Dick Shellhorn
Dick Shellhorn is a lifelong Cordovan. He has been writing sports stories for the Cordova Times for over 50 years. In his Cordova Chronicles features, he writes about the history and characters of this Alaska town. Alaska Press Club awarded Shellhorn first place for Best Humor column in 2016 and 2020, and third place in 2017 and 2019. He also received second place for Best Editorial Commentary in 2019. Shellhorn has written two books about Alaska adventures: Time and Tide and Balls and Stripes. Reach him at dshorn44@gmail.com.