PIAA Sports: Spring sports coaches react to the PIAA's decision to cancel the season Apr 9, 2020 The spring sports season was officially cancelled on Thursday afternoon. The spring sports season and the conclusion of the winter sports championships were canceled by the PIAA Thursday. An empty dugout at Pennsbury High's Vic Napolitano Field on Thursday after the PIAA canceled all of spring sports. Wetzel and the YellowJackets made history last May by winning the first District 10 softball championship in school history. The PIAA’s decision followed Gov. Athletically, academically and socially, this is an abrupt ending to what was a remarkable last dance. Ohio has not canceled the remainder of the school year … The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association on Wednesday confirmed plans to start the winter sports season as scheduled, with practices beginning on Friday, and game competition set to open Dec. 11. After weeks of clinging to fading hopes, the Girard senior learned that her high school softball career was over Thursday. Ohio has not canceled the remainder of the school year and the … "It is very unfortunate for all the athletes who have worked so hard for their seasons to be ended this way, but there is always a silver lining in life," Lichtinger said. The PIAA is the 18th high school state athletic association to cancel the spring sports season. In response, the PIAA board of directors decided to cancel spring sports competition and the remainder of the winter sports championships that had been postponed. It breaks my heart.". "We would have loved the chance to swim even if a couple of us put on some pounds a little bit. Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. The cancellation ended the career of Jeffress, one of the top players in Erie history. PIAA Spring Sports Officially Cancelled. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. This move officially puts an end to that. PIAA cancels winter, spring sports after school closure. I understand what they're doing for good reason, but it's so disheartening for the seniors. “I understand the decision to cancel the remainder of the winter and spring sports season,” Trinity head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. said. "When they canceled the meet originally, I lost quite a bit of hope at that point in time knowing that this virus wasn't going to end anytime soon," said Cathedral Prep standout swimmer Ethan Neff. “Obviously, everybody’s priority is safety and that’s why we’re shutting everything down,” PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Please subscribe to keep reading. Knowing that I will never again put on a McDowell basketball jersey and lay my heart out in Paul Goll gymnasium brings tears to my eyes. 2 minutes read. The spring high school sports season and winter championships are officially canceled. Girard won't get a chance to defend that title this spring. Harbor Creek senior Jenna Babay recently completed an impressive basketball career and was one of the top softball players back in District 10 this season. All PIAA sports remain suspended due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. "I never imagined something like this would happen. The PIAA's decision came hours after Pennsylvania Gov. "It's tough knowing I put in so many years working towards this to not have my senior year.". Update, March 23: The PIAA announced Monday, March 23 that winter championships and spring sports will be postponed for at least another two weeks through April 6. The decision came hours after Wolf announced that he was extending the closure of all schools throughout the … We all feel lousy about the student athletes not getting an opportunity to participate.”. “Having said that, it is absolutely the right decision.”. Cathell added that if all sports are cancelled until 2021, the PSFCA would immediately begin conversation to have spring football. It was an unforgettable season.". Villa Maria also won a state championship last winter, the Victors' first swimming title in school history, but neither Prep nor Villa will get the chance to defend their title. Carlisle High School's softball field is vacant after a statewide shutdown of all schools. Trinity boys basketball was on track to avenge last year's state title loss. I went through the whole year watching my best friends get to experience their favorite sport and have their senior night, and I was so excited to have that with my favorite sport this spring," Wetzel said. "It's knowing how much they have impacted me through the years of softball, never getting to put on the same jersey and step on the field with them again is what hurts the most about this whole situation. I figured we wouldn't have a meet. "I was devastated," Jeffress said. He is McDowell's all-time scorer with 1,673 points in just three seasons. COVID-19 denied them that chance. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. "However, the Board's position reflects a steadfast priority of keeping our student-athletes, officials and member schools' staffs and their communities safe, while following the guidelines provided by the Governor, the Department of Health and the Department of Education. McDowell junior lacrosse standout Caitlin Morris has her future set after committing to Division I Elon in the winter, but losing a full high school season still stings. Guidance from the PIAA’s sports … Pennsylvania’s governing body over high school sports has made its decision. The PIAA on Wednesday said winter sports practices can begin on Friday if the local school district approves. ", "I would have loved for it to have happened. Most of the PIAA basketball tournament was through the second round. The PIAA Class 2A swimming and diving championship meet was one day from starting when it was postponed for the same reason. Obviously, I was disappointed to hear my junior season was being canceled, but some things are bigger than sports, and this is definitely one of them," Morris said. "It wasn't looking good on actually having the swim meet. "There's a lot of 'what ifs' or 'what could have been' left on the table, but the worst part for me is knowing that I'll never be able to play with my teammates again," Wetzel said. One option, if schools are given the OK to resume, would be to cancel PIAA district and state tournaments for spring sports. 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