BY KYLEIGH SPRIGLE
All over the state of Florida, high school athletes unknowingly had their last sporting event for the 2020 school year. Many seniors have had the last game of their career.
On April 20, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) officially canceled the remainder of the sports season.
The FHSAA had to cancel the spring sports season due to the school closures. On Saturday, April 18, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year due to the coronavirus pandemic. With no chance of students going back to school, the FHSAA had to cancel the sports seasons.
The FHSAA canceled all games, championship events as well as the state series. That leaves many teams without the trophies or rings they were hoping to receive.
“Hopefully this will not be a ‘forgotten’ season.”
“I will be lobbying with our administration to see that we receive proper recognition for our accomplishments from the FHSAA. I truly believe that we should be awarded the FHSAA Class 6A State Championship based on our number one ranking in MaxPreps,” softball head coach Phil Schmalz said. “We deserve some recognition for this accomplishment, and hopefully this will not be a ‘forgotten’ season.”
The CCHS softball team is currently undefeated and rated No. 1 in Class 6A, No. 2 in the state and No. 5 nationally, meaning they were on track to win states. Other CCHS sports teams were projected to go far in their season as well.
“I really miss my coaches and teammates. It’s disappointing, especially as a senior, that the season is canceled. The seniors had such high expectations and goals for this season and we won’t have the chance to achieve [them] since it was our last year,” senior flag football player Kaia Keppel said. “It’s sad to know that I unknowingly played my last high school sport ever.”
“The seniors had such high expectations and goals for this season and we won’t have the chance to achieve [them] since it was our last year.”
The seniors may have had not only their last high school game but also their last game ever. Those who do not have travel seasons or who are not committed to playing in college just played their final game.
“I feel really bad. Every year has been leading up to the senior season and to have that taken away with no chance of getting it back is really sad,” senior volleyball captain Ian Espinoza said. “But it’s not too bad—I really miss it but I’ll find something more important later.”
On, March 31, the FHSAA announced they were going to try to extend the season to late June and/or provide additional eligibility for seniors. However, with this new update, the seasons are completely canceled and they are unable to provide more eligibility.
The seniors cannot come back and play next year. However, there is a possibility that some teams will be recognized for their accomplishments.
Photo by Sydney Katz
