After a season canceled due to the pandemic, the 2020 spring sports season will always be remembered as the one that could have been.

Now, with harsh restrictions being lifted, the 2021 season is able to begin as scheduled. 

“My hope is that they get to experience a full season with minimal interruptions due to COVID,” Athletic Director Lance Smith said. “Having an entire season canceled is unprecedented, so we have a much larger group of students than normal that will be experiencing spring sports for the first time.”

During the last season of play in 2019, the varsity baseball team was able to capture their first State Championship. This marked a very prominent season for the Cats, as they had fallen short, winning silver metals seven years in a row before. For the team, last season was an opportunity to go back to back and win another title for the school.

“This year is special because none of us have seen the field on a spring night in over a year,” senior Corbin Hawkins said. “Everyone is hungry with one goal in mind and that is to win another State championship. My hopes are that we grow as a family and come together to win some games that we win strictly off of hard work and relying on the guy next to you.” 

For soccer, the girls had also dreamt about winning two years in a row. With 14 seniors leaving after the 2019 and 2020 season, the team will have an entirely new dynamic. 

“With the gap year of not playing and training with everyone, there are so many open spots on the team for this season,” senior Elise Nyffeler said. “I think we will need to find our groove as a team and find what works for us to move towards our goal of winning State again, considering that we only have two returning players.” 

For boys soccer, the varsity team was just short of heading to State by falling to Kearney during the district final. The overall season in 2019 ended with a nine to nine record. 

“Our hope is to come together to be a strong group of athletes, and overall a good soccer team,” head boys soccer coach Juan Aguirre said. “I am looking forward to coaching games and practices, as well as sharing these experiences with the players.”

Despite the 2019-2020 season being canceled, the teams have all started their tryouts and practices, even with restrictions of wearing masks and social distancing. This situation gives the members more opportunities to grow as people as well as athletes. With the extra time, students were able to practice more to work towards the season. 

As far as the other spring sports, girls track ended their 2018-2019 season as Metro runners-up, they placed 4th at State and they had one individual State Champion. For boys, they finished the season with 5th place at State, and three individual State Champions. Golf ended the season with two State qualifiers. 

Even with the gap year during the last season, the sports teams are staying positive, despite the possible challenges that could potentially be faced due to COVID. With the upcoming season, all of these teams hope to be able to improve their overall records together, and as individuals.