By Ezrah Hines
Seminole State Athletics have returned as if they never left.
The short break during the spring allowed them to come back even stronger, but with more regulations and protocols as well.
“It’s been tough on everybody,” said Kurt Esser, Athletics director at Seminole State.
Safety protocols at the school include temperature checks and questionnaires every time the players enter the facility. They must also wear masks and socially distance.
All of Seminole State’s Athletics programs have been practicing and preparing for the upcoming season and/or during their season.
One team that is currently competing is the Women’s Golf team.
The only difference for their competitions this year is that instead of having four competitions, they will compete in three contests instead.
“Emotionally and mentally, not being able to do all of the things is difficult,” said Christa Teno, head coach of the Women’s Golf Team at Seminole State.
With the levels of mental and emotional health being lower due to the pandemic, Teno also said she works with the team on “a lot of relaxation and breathing work.”
The women also have had rules laid out for them to follow as a team.
One of those rules includes not allowing anyone into their own apartment. Teno does this to ensure that all her players are still available to play, and that they can’t find any possible way to get sick.
Teno made the point that: “It is a privilege to play college athletics.” She said she wants to ensure that all of her players get the chance to play through the competitions. She even has teambuilding exercises to help bring the players closer during this time as well. She says the team has started to come together more during the pandemic.
Another team that has prepared hard for its upcoming season is the baseball team at Seminole State.
The players started practicing sometime in late August for their season coming up in January. One difference was that they are not allowed to play any exhibition games before the season like they usually do.
“We tried to stay in our own little bubble,” said Mike Nicholson, head coach of the baseball team.
He said there are pluses and minuses to not traveling to the exhibition games and tournaments. The team isn’t necessarily “starting from scratch” like others, but has some issues as well.
“We didn’t test ourselves against anybody else,” said Nicholson, referring to what could possibly be an issue for the upcoming season.
With minimal contact and being proactive with having the players limit their movement, the team has done everything it can to not lose out on the upcoming season.