The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 4 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on December 4, 2020.
By: Stephanie Carlson ’21
Associate Editor and Sports Editor
With much of the 2020-2021 school year being far different than any other, hopes are high that the spring semester will bring some sort of normalcy following the release of the College’s spring reopening plan that was sent out to the student body at the end of November.
Currently, fall and winter sports teams are hopeful that the in-person spring semester will allow opportunities for them to experience some semblance of a season that will allow them to play the sports that they love. Although it has yet to be decided whether the school will compete against other institutions, the College is continuously updating its COVID-19 procedures to ensure a safe environment for all.
“Resuming athletics will be done in the safest possible way by following or exceeding all of the NCAA Sports Science Institute guidelines for participating in collegiate athletics,” said Interim Director of Athletics Blake Theisen. “This includes a robust COVID-19 testing plan for varsity athletic team members and coaches along with a phased resocialization to sport plan… Our coaches and athletic administrators have been working hard to plan for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to engage in the sports they are passionate about and provide a really fun and memorable athletic experience in a safe environment. Although it is expected that spring sports will participate in a relatively normal athletic schedule and that fall sports are expected to practice and compete as well, there is still uncertainty as to what lies ahead for the College’s winter sports.”
As a way to keep teams connected with the Forester community, the athletic department has been featuring a “Highlights from Home” series on the goforesters.com website. This series follows different sports teams and their experiences with a completely remote semester.
Swimmer Evan Weller ’21 provided the team’s most recent “Highlight from Home” update.
“Senior Marcus Carter-Buckman, junior Graeme Witte, and I have been training with the Lake Forest Swim Club in order to stay in shape. Practices have been challenging but we are thankful for the opportunity to swim. Additionally, we have been joined by members of the women’s swimming and diving team,” said Weller.
Not only are the teams focusing on keeping up with their training, but some members are also taking up new hobby’s this semester. Swimmer Naqi Rizvi ’21 took up biking while women’s basketball player Katie Neher ’23 picked up skateboarding.
Many players have been working tirelessly this semester on their academic and career goals. Many students have taken part in an array of internships this semester despite the current setbacks.
“My fellow teammates have been taking no breaks when it comes to professional experiences, as many have secured internships or jobs while they are studying remotely,” said men’s hockey player Aaron O’Neill ’21.
Hockey player Troy Nelson ’21 recently started an internship at Aerotek, senior Chris Berry ’21 has been interning with the Environmental Protection Agency, and Josh Giacomin ’22 has accepted an internship with CIBC’s Investment Banking Division.
Despite many setbacks this semester, the student-athletes have been doing their best to stay connected, motivated, and hopeful of what next semester will bring for Lake Forest College sports.
