Sports practices on campus continue with safety protocols

COVID-19 has left its mark on the athletic world, including collegiate sports. Back in March — before schools were forced to transition to online learning — spring sports were canceled, and there was a void that would remain until August. 

Near the start of the 2020 Fall semester, Elmhurst University President Troy VanAken held virtual press conferences announcing the return to campus. Included in these press conferences were the guidelines and steps for athletic teams and clubs to safely return to practice. According to VanAken, teams will always be required to socially distance, and will be required to wear facemasks. Temperature checks will also be mandatory. 

Although Fall sports were officially postponed by the CCIW, the university is making progress for sports to eventually continue. According to Hector Quintero, member of the EU wrestling team, the school is going about practicing safety measures to make sure that sports can safely return in the future. 

Quintero mentioned EU wrestlers are holding workouts in smaller groups. Only a few teammates at a time can lift together. They are also holding limited open mat sessions where only eight people at a time can participate. 

When it comes to monitoring COVID-19 testing and preventing the spread, all university athletes were required to download an app called “Helper Helper,” which requires athletes to fill out forms and report their daily symptoms.

Jared Szaltis, track and field hurdler, also stated that the track team will be split into groups of 10 people or less. 

“We will also have practices split up by event-specific practices to allow for the different groups to be on opposite ends of the field to help follow social distance guidelines,” said Szaltis.

Szaltis also mentioned that the locker rooms are locked, so athletes must change in and out of their uniforms in their dorms or when they get home. 

Szaltis thinks positively in the protocols and their ability to bring back sports safely.

“I believe the athletic department is doing a great job thus far in helping bring back sports and prevent the possibility of an outbreak beginning on campus,” said Szaltis.