The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 5 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on February 19, 2021.
By Paityn Tabor ‘23
Staff Writer
After what feels like an eternity, a portion of Foresters are finally back on campus. As many are adjusting to the numerous health protocols and guidelines in place to keep everyone on campus safe from COVID-19, our sports teams have found themselves having to adapt to unfamiliar terrain as well.
COVID-19 has utterly transformed our world, and sports are no exception. Actions and activities that teams once took for granted now look entirely different. Traditional team behavior, such as giving out high fives or fist bumps are more than likely no longer encouraged.
Undoubtedly, student-athletes have been eager to get back into the swing of sports and play the games they love with their teammates once again. In order to keep all teams safe, sports look vastly different than in years past, but that does not mean that each team here at the College cannot have a memorable season.
(Credit: @forestewomenssoccer/ Instagram)
“With this being an unprecedented season, I think it’s going to be a lot of trial and error,” explained women’s head soccer coach, T.R. Bell ‘96. “We have stressed remaining flexible and adapting to whatever challenges lie ahead of us. We have to ease our team into things, as most everyone has a different starting point. Some players were able to train and even play last fall, others haven’t seen a soccer ball in a long time.”
The willingness to adapt will surely be crucial as each team’s season unfolds. Since athletes are being tested for COVID-19 at least once a week, there is always the possibility of a positive test. If that were to occur, the result would more than likely be the isolation or quarantine of one or more players. If that situation arises for a team it will be critical that they take it in stride and adjust as need be. Flexibility is a key component to a team’s success this season, and this sentiment seems to be a universal one among Lake Forest College coaches.
“I told the team that we need to have flexibility and patience this spring, but we are also very grateful to have the opportunity to practice and compete again. We will be making the most of every moment we get to be together,” said head volleyball coach, Katie Rueffer.
Being back together as a collective unity has been an exciting aspect of this semester so far for many sports teams. Additionally, many first-year athletes are meeting their teammates for the very first time. However, due to COVID-19 safety regulations, getting to know one another and building those meaningful relationships has proven to be difficult.
“I try to give the athletes space to bond as much as possible in practice. Our captains have been great at helping new athletes feel a part of the team,” explained interim head men’s and women’s tennis coach, Scot Reinhart.
(Credit: @lfctennis/ Instagram)
Incorporating team-building activities into practice time is certainly not the ideal situation for team bonding. However, for now, it looks like it will be the best way to foster camaraderie and friendship among athletes since they are unable to gather together outside of practice due to the College’s phased social interaction.
Although athletics at the College looks extremely different this semester, the continual effort of teams to remain flexible as their seasons progress will help make each team’s season a great one.
