Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, spring sports were canceled for two weeks and postponed. While they have not been canceled for the rest of the season, it is predicted that the season will continue to be paused and may be canceled. Athletes who planned to beat personal records, be recruited by a scout, or continue to improve in their sport had their plans changed by the global pandemic.

“[The cancellation of the season] upsets me as an athlete but at the same time I want to be virus-free,” senior Ronin Davis said. “I did not start my season how I wanted to because so far I’ve only been at four meets because of an [hamstring] injury.”

Davis started track his sophomore year of high school. Track is a big part of his high school experience and his life. Davis planned to attend college and continue to run track. While Davis does not know where he plans to attend, he received scholarship offers from different schools.

“Since my sophomore year, I realized track was a sport I was meant to be a part of,” Davis said. I’ve worked towards reaching my full potential and doing great things like competing at districts and regionals. I would love to continue it, and someday go to the Olympics for track.”

For Davis, the cancellation of the track season is unfortunate for him. As this is his last year in high school, and he already had to sit out some of the seasons due to an injury, it prevented him from achieving his goals.

“Breaking the school’s record of a 100-meter dash in 10.71 seconds was a record that I had my eyes set on since tenth grade,” Davis said. “Injuries prevented me from it, so hopefully this blows through so I can have the season that I want.”

Spring athletes, especially those who have been playing their sport for a while, have lost a sense of normalcy now that they are unable to practice with a team and coach.

Senior Kenna Kelting felt the effects of the coronavirus disrupting her tennis season. Kelting played tennis on the school’s team for two seasons and is the only senior on the team. Tennis is a big part of Kelting’s routine and with the season being suspended, she has to adapt to a big change.

“As an athlete, it is hard to take a break from my busy lifestyle,” Kelting said. “I’m used to playing tennis every day after school, but since the season has been canceled I’ve had to take a step back and find something else to occupy myself.”

Even though Kelting learned to adapt to a new routine without playing tennis for her team, she still appreciates this final season, even though it was interrupted.

“We made the best of the time we had together as a team,” Kelting said. “I personally grew as a player physically and mentally and challenged myself to take away something from each match to improve on for the next.”

The cancellation of sports is not affecting athletes in this current sports season, but student-athletes who plan to continue their sport in college. It could mean missing the opportunity to be seen by a scout or a chance to tour a college.

For senior Kevin Sosa, he missed one of the most important events for a college recruit, his signing day. Without the opportunity to sign his signing papers, Sosa is unsure of when he will be able to get the chance to.

“I committed to play baseball at Anderson University,” Sosa said. “I was supposed to sign soon, but the virus affected that. It hasn’t been decided when I’ll be signing.”

Sosa started playing baseball when he was three years old, and baseball became an important part of his life. He does not plan to let this set back ruin his season or stop him from being optimistic about the future.

“This season we achieved so much,” Sosa said “We worked so hard to defeat a team that no one thought we would’ve and proved everyone wrong. “The cancellation was devastating, but as an athlete, I keep the mindset of working hard and believing.”