The Michigan High School Athletic Association this week extended the pause in “contact” high school sports this winter to Feb. 1, mostly affecting girls’ and boys’ basketball and wrestling.
Basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling are considered “contact” sports and may begin non-contact practices Jan. 16, with their first competitions scheduled for Feb. 1.
“Because of the later start to competition schedules in those sports, the MHSAA will adjust its tournament dates for those four to conclude on later dates than what is currently scheduled – those dates will be announced later this week,” it was reported in a statement Wednesday.
Three MHSAA non-contact winter sports will be allowed to restart practice Saturday (Jan. 16) per the updated epidemic order announced Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Girls gymnastics, girls and boys bowling, and girls and boys swimming and diving, as “non-contact” sports, may also begin competition before the end of this month – swimming and diving Jan. 22 and gymnastics and bowling Jan. 25.
Masks will be required of all participants except when they are actively participating in gymnastics and swimming & diving. Spectators will be capped at 100 persons in school gyms or 250 in stadiums and arenas, per MDHHS orders.
Wayland High School boys’ bowling coach Sherry Miklusicak said on Facebook, “Our first practice will be Monday after school from 3 to 5 p.m. at Rock N Bowl. You (participants) will have to practice social distancing! A mask will be required as well.
“If you are virtual on Monday and can’t get there, please let (girls’) coach Eric (Bottrall) or myself know.”
