BRISTOL — In spite of concerns about the large number of coronavirus cases in Manchester, the Newfound Boys’ Cross-Country Team, as well as some members from the girls’ team, will be traveling to Derryfield Park on Oct. 31 to take part in the state tournament.
Concerns about COVID-19 have dominated the way school districts have been operating, and the Newfound Area School District has accepted the need for remote learning this fall. They also have instituted a number of changes in athletics to make sure students are safe when playing other teams.
The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association also has been grappling with the matter and only recently settled on how to handle games and tournaments across the state. Teams compete regionally until reaching the semifinals and finals, and rather than having neutral sites for tournaments, as they have in the past, the games will be played at the home field of the highest-seeded team. The exception is cross-country, with its special requirements for space and facilities.
The Newfound Area School Board approved the game schedule at its Oct. 19 meeting, but not without some trepidation. Board Chair Jeff Levesque of Groton commented, “I am appalled that anyone in their right mind would choose the community with the highest case count in the state to hold the tournament for this. I think it’s totally irresponsible and dangerous.”
Levesque nevertheless made the motion to approve the athletic schedule, with assurances from Superintendent Pierre Couture that, regardless of the plans, the school district would consider canceling its participation if it determined that going to a game would put students’ health at risk.
“All cases will be considered individually, even for approved tournaments,” Couture said.
Athletic Director Alex Sobolov pointed out that each team participating in the cross-country tournament will have its own tent and porta-potty, and that there will be seven waves of runners, rather than everyone running together.
“There are thorough protocols,” he told the board, “and the cross-country coaches feel comfortable with them. If a parent feels uncomfortable, the student is not required to go, but we’ve asked the athletes and the majority are interested in going.”
He also noted that no spectators will be allowed to attend. Rather, the tournament will be live-streamed.
Newfound is scheduled to be on the field after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and each athlete will immediately return to the team tent after competing, Sobolov said.
Abundance Of Caution
In a letter to the school board, Varsity Volleyball Coach Amy Fairbank said she decided at the beginning of the season that “I will do whatever I need to get these girls on the court safely.”
She noted that, as the only sport being played inside this fall, “our approach to this season will be a guide and measure for winter indoor sports.”
She continued, “When the season started, I told my team that even though the school or NHIAA wasn’t requiring it, I would prefer that they wear their masks during games. I told them that face-to-face contact at the net was an added risk and that a covering would be added protection. … I have not had one player or parent opposed to this added measure of safety.”
Fairbank said that, after learning of Newfound’s precautions, Moultonborough and Winnisquam decided to enforce the wearing of masks during the games.
