ROCKINGHAM — When the clock strikes 12 a.m. on Saturday, an unprecedented statewide suspension of all high school and middle school sports will go into effect amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The unchartered waters of seeing all sports put on hold by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in the second full week of spring sports poses challenges on and off the field for Richmond Senior High School.
This spring, Richmond is fielding seven varsity programs and three junior varsity programs. But all of them will now have to wait until the state’s governing body gives the go-ahead to resume.
The current date set by the NCHSAA to return to competition is Monday, April 6, but that date could change pending further developments of the coronavirus outbreak. Per the ban, no athletic programs are allowed to compete in scheduled games or participate in practices or workouts.
“I’m disappointed for our students, but certainly understand the state taking precautionary measures to ensure their safety,” Rob Ransom, Richmond’s athletic director and baseball coach, said.
“This situation is new to everyone,” he added. “We will encourage our athletes to stay positive and remember there are bigger things in life than sports.”
Another projected impact on not only Richmond, but high schools and middle schools all across North Carolina, is the economic effect of the shutdown.
Ransom said Richmond’s economic impact regarding potential losses on gate sales and concessions won’t be known “until later,” but added the school will not have to pay for officials or travel costs.
The Raider baseball team, which is 0-3 to start the season, was looking to turn things around with Purnell Swett and Pinecrest high schools coming up on the schedule. When, and if, the Raiders return to the diamond, Ransom is hoping to see his players return with zest.
“It is definitely going to be a challenge,” Ransom said of the forced break. “I felt we had our best two practices of the year on Tuesday and Wednesday, but now we lose that momentum.”
On the other diamond across campus, the Lady Raider softball team will see its two wins in three games put on the shelf for the next three and a half weeks.
First-year head coach Mike Way and company are in the midst of a transition season that could potentially see nine of its 20 games erased.
The team practiced on Thursday with the anticipation of playing one final game Friday at Purnell Swett, but Robeson County Schools canceled all school events prior to the NCHSAA mandate.
“It still seems surreal, just unlike anything we have seen before,” Way commented. “It is tough when the kids ask you questions and you don’t have an answer for them. Meeting with them yesterday was one of the toughest coaching moments I have had.
“But we need to stay ready,” he added. “They will have to do that on their own, but we tried to tell them to stay positive and expect to play.”
The next possible game for the Lady Raiders would be Tuesday, April 7 at home against Lumberton High School.
Chris Campolieta, Richmond’s boys’ track and field coach, saw his team compete in its first meet of the season on Thursday. Entering the competition, news of the decision by the NCHSAA had already spread to him and the team.
“It stinks to not be able to practice or compete after having a great offseason, but I think it’s the right call,” Campolieta said. “Our No. 1 job as coaches to keep these kids safe from any threat. If the state feels like this is the best way to do so, I am okay with it.”
A strong showing against Scotland and Seventy-First high schools Thursday, coupled with a productive pre-season, puts the Raiders in good shape should they return to the track next month.
“We have a good group of young men and have a good amount of leadership on the team,” Campolieta said. “I think they will be able to stay in shape on their own by organizing workouts on their own time. These young men want to be great which makes my job really easy.”
Another of the programs impacted, the Lady Raider soccer team became the final Richmond program to compete in a match ahead of the suspension. Richmond defeated Jack Britt High School in a key SAC matchup Thursday, earning its second conference win in three tries.
Head coach Chris Larsen noted he was proud of his team’s efforts, but said the momentum gained early in the season may take a hit with an extended break.
“Of course the biggest thing is everyone’s safety,” Larsen said. “It seems like it’s open to resume play if things get better before the end of the three weeks.
“It’s one of those things we just have to deal with and I know the girls can overcome this,” he added. “It’ll be hard to keep the momentum we’ve built so far, it’ll almost be like starting over. But the girls have learned enough and when we come back together, we’ll keep tacking on the wins.”
ROSports will update any scheduling changes as they become available.
