A year after all spring sports were wiped out because of COVID-19, thousands of athletes are restless to try again in 2021 as high school spring sports officially get under way this month.

“I think as long as people are smart and take the proper precautions during the season we won’t run into any issues”, girls soccer coach Richard Jacobs said. “The program has come a really long way since I’ve been here and I’m excited that we’ll be able to play this year.”

According to Jacobs not having a season last year could affect the outcome in 2021.

“There’s going to be a lack of training, lack of preparation and lack of physical activity…and overall lack of soccer IQ,” Jacobs said. “I think it will have a tremendous effect not only at South but at all high schools.”

Girls varsity tennis coach Mark Sobieralski says he’s looking forward to being back with his team.

“I’ve been with a lot of these girls since elementary school and now some of them are seniors, I’m glad I get the opportunity to watch them play during their last season,” Sobieralski said. “These kids have been working hard and having tryouts pushed back may give them doubt but I have hope we’ll get to have as good a season as we did in 2019.”

Varsity soccer captain Jennifer Crowley says that she’s excited to get back on the field for her last season

We have a lot of seniors graduating this year, so I want the season to go well and be fun,” Crowley said.

Crowley says that she has some worries for this upcoming season but no COVID-19 related.

“I’m worried that since some people on the south team don’t play club that we will not connect as a team on the field and that will hurt us in our games,” Crowley said. “In order to prevent this we will start practices out hard and make sure that everyone is caught up before our first game.”

Jacobs says he’s looking forward to seeing everyone during tryouts.

“Tryouts have been pushed back but we finally have dates and a location, Total Soccer Fraser, March 22, 23 and 24,” Jacobs said. “ We’re a true family, having 40 girls on the tryout list this year says a lot about the program.”

According to Sobieralski he’s anticipating there to be a lot of new girls at tryouts.

“Tryouts are March 22, we don’t have a location yet because it depends on the weather,” Sobieralski said. “There are a lot of freshmen that seem excited to play but I hope the confusion of tryouts doesn’t throw them off.”
Jacobs said that even though there has been a lot of confusion with this upcoming season he is still proud to have dedicated players.

“Having players that still want to be a part of the program, and they still want to be able to be a part of a high school sport that says a lot. It really truly does,” Jacobs said.