Still hope for moderate and high-risk sports, such as football and volleyball, to begin in February, as well
The Class 4A and 3A Greater St. Helens Leagues announced Thursday that some sports will return on Feb. 1, and there is hope for most of the traditional fall sports to begin, as well.
Athletes in the low-risk sports of cross country, boys golf and boys tennis have received the go-ahead to begin Feb. 1.
Football, volleyball, girls soccer, and slowpitch softball must wait until Southwest Washington is in Phase 2 of the state’s latest plan to combat the pandemic: Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery.
As of now, the region is not in Phase 2.
GSHL officials will look at the data on Jan. 25. If the region is in Phase 2, moderate and high-risk fall sports will begin practice on Feb. 1.
If the region remains in Phase 1 on Jan. 25, officials will push the season back a week and look at the data again on Feb. 1 in hopes of beginning practice on Feb. 8.
This will continue for the next week, as well, if necessary.
If the region reaches Phase 2 by Feb. 15, the season will begin Feb. 22 but the season would be shortened.
If the region still remains in Phase 1, GSHL officials will introduce a new calendar, looking into the prospect of a two-season format, mixing some fall sports with winter sports and some fall sports with spring sports.
Girls swimming is not on the schedule as of now. The plan would be to offer girls swimming at later dates.
