TAYLOR MADE: THE 'WHAT IF' ABOUT SENIOR ATHLETES & SPRING SPORTS (2020-04-05)
The year was 1978 and the school budget had just been voted down. Suddenly, my high school athletic career was in jeopardy of ending without an opportunity to finish it out.
What was I going to do without my senior year of sports? Fortunately, the budget passed on the re-vote. However, the thought of missing out on sports during my senior year of high school was a frightening one that I will never forget.
I wasn't a great athlete, but I had a few memorable moments during that final year. I won my only varsity wrestling tournament (class sectionals) and had the pleasure of being co-caption of the school's very first IAC division champion in cross country. It was also the first XC team to post a .500-plus record (7-2). I wrapped it all up with the opportunity to compete in the mile race walk in track, which allowed me get out of the 4x800 relay. I did not like the 800 (I was a miler and 2-miler), although the walk did subject me to a few "comments" from my buddies.
Although I did not have to deal with the frightening coronavirus pandemic, I feel like the possibility of missing out on a sport during my final year of high school gives me a little understanding about what our current senior athletes are experiencing with the threat that they be robbed of their last hurrah.
Regardless of whether you are a star athlete or just a participating member of the team this spring season, the possibility that you may not get to compete in your final season of high school sports is very, very real.
Schools are closed until mid-April. If spring sports become a reality, it's going to have to happen soon. Before long the New York State Public High School Athletic Association is going to have to make a decision on whether or not it will cancel spring sports.
The spring season is scheduled to end June 14. That's just 10 weeks away. NYSPHSAA could extend the season past that, but it runs the risk of interfering with graduations, and maybe some rescheduled proms and other events.
There are a number of elite senior athletes from Tioga County who could miss out an opportunity to shine at the state level. Following are some of the more notable senior golfers and track & field athletes who are stuck in this situation. I should note that this info is based on last year's performances.
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
Candor's Lance Jensen placed fifth at states in the 400-meter hurdles last year and 11th as a sophomore. Three of the four hurdlers who beat him to the finish line last year graduated. Jensen also ran a personal record of 15.41 seconds in the 110 hurdles at the state qualifier, but Waverly's Isaac Chandler claimed the state spot and would go on to place eighth. Both are among the top returnees in Section IV.
Chandler's forte, however, is the pole vault. Coming off a state record vault at the indoor state championships a month ago, all eyes were on him to fare well at the outdoor finals this year. The bronze medalist in 2019, he is the No. 3 Division II vaulter again this season (he bested the No. 2 at indoor states).
Several other athletes who finished their juniors seasons out strong may also miss on a chance to shine as seniors.
Owego's Derek Sarrge, a member of the sixth-place 4x800 relay, is the lone returnee from a group that set a school record (8:02.04) at the state qualifier, then just missed it at states (8:03.01) after one of the Indian runners was tripped by an opponent. He was a top-10 finisher in the 400 at the state qualifier and is the No. 4 returnee.
Newark Valley's Caden Bennett, a Section IV finalist in the 100 and 200 last year, comes back ranked No. 1 in the 200 and No. 2 in the 100 this season. He was also on the 4x100 relay, which was DQed in the 4x100 relay finals at the state qualifier following a baton drop.
Tioga's Ezra Steele comes in ranked fourth among returning Section IV 800 competitors.
S-VE's Luke Simonton is ranked No. 4 among the returning Section IV discus throwers.
One state qualifier who will probably miss out this spring, but should have another opportunity in 2021 is Waverly junior Collin Wright. He won the 3K steeplechase at the state qualifier and is also ranked second in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600 among returning runners.
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
Nobody will feel the pain more than Waverly, which has three senior state place-winners on this year's roster. Elizabeth Fritzen, Cora Smith and Sheridan Talada placed sixth in the 4x800 relay at states. With sophomore Olivia Nittinger back, the Wolverines quartet will be a legitimate state title threat if they get a chance. Division II state champ Bronxville graduated three runners while the second- and third-place teams lost one runner each, and the fourth- and fifth-place squads lost two seniors each.
Waverly's Melina Ortiz was eighth at state in the 400 and Smith was 10th in the 3,000. Both would be coming back ranked in the top eight in Division II this season. Alyssa Simonetti is the No. 3 returning 100-meter hurdler in Section IV while Ortiz and Talada are also No. 3 in the 200 and 3,000, respectively. Fritzen comes back at No. 4 in the 800 and Smith at No. 5 in the 1500.
Newark Valley's Kayla Malarkey competed in the heptathlon at the state meet last year, and would be returning as the No. 5 heptathlete in the state, but I've heard she was going to forego her final year of track & field.
S-VE's Ryleigh Clark competed solo during the indoor track & field season, which obviously was helping here prepare for the outdoor season. She would be ranked No. 2 in Section IV in the triple jump, and would probably be a contender in the long jump as well.
Two other seniors who might enjoy strong seasons if given the chance are Owego's Katie Shoen, No. 6 in the 800, and Tioga's Mackenzie Macumber, No. 6 in the 100 hurdles.
NOTE: Over the next few days, I will look at the top seniors in boys tennis, boys and girls golf, boys and girls lacrosse, and baseball and softball.
