BY KYLEIGH SPRIGLE
With all the spring sports seasons being cut short this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, all one can imagine is what could have been. The dreams of going to districts, regionals or even states competitions were lost. However, the highly competitive spring sports teams at Cooper City were expected to go far in their respective tournaments.
With the help of MaxPreps’ team stats and educated guesses made by student-athletes, one can predict what was in store for the sports teams that did not get to finish their season. All CCHS spring sports teams were on a clear path to being district winners. Some were undefeated and others were even predicted to make it to states.
After months of conditioning, the baseball team only got to play a total of five games. They had a record of 2-3. Last year, the team did not make it past regionals. This year was different– some players thought they could have made it far.
“Honestly, I thought we could make regionals,” catcher Joey Goldstein said. “Maybe even farther.”
“Honestly, I thought we could make regionals. Maybe even farther.”
Baseball catcher Joey Goldstein
The softball team had to live up to the past expectations surrounding them. They have gone to states the previous two years and have won districts four years in a row. Before their season was cancelled this year, they were undefeated with a record of 7-0.
According to MaxPreps, the team is ranked at second in the state and fifth in the nation. The team was also featured in the article “100 high school sports teams to watch in 2020-21.” They were expected to make it to states and possibly win it all.
The flag football team lost a lot of people before the season even started. When they got the team together they planned on making it to states. Last year, the team got to regional semi-finals. This year, the team’s record was 4-1. They were predicted to at least make it to regionals, if not further.
The boys water polo team did not get to play many games. They participated in one tournament and barely played any regular season games. The team got through the challenges of having a new coach and they beat some tough competition. Players and fans agreed the team was bound for regionals.
“I honestly think we were gonna do pretty good this year,” captain Ryley Edmunds said. “Besides our last game, we won all of our competitive games in district and played well at our Miami tournament.”
“We had the players and the mindset to win.”
Boys volleyball captain Ian Espinoza
The girls water polo team had the same amount of games but were less successful. The team has been growing and improving over the years. However, they were not expected to go as far as the boys. The team had some stand out players and could have possibly made it past districts.
The boys volleyball team turned heads this season. Their undefeated season ended with a record of 7-0. The team had to persevere through troubles like losing many players and a coach. The Cowboys were undeniably on their way to states.
“We were definitely going to regionals and I would even argue that we had the ability to win regionals and go to states” captain Ian Espinoza said. “Our district and regional area thing was easy and we definitely could’ve won. We had the players and the mindset to win.”
Although track and tennis were also cut short this season, their results could not be predicted because they are judged individually or in small groups, not as a team.
Despite months of conditioning and practicing, the high school sports seasons were cut short. The fans, coaches and players can only imagine the accomplishments that could have been.
Disclaimer: Kyleigh Sprigle is also a player for the CCHS softball team.
Photo by Anabella Garcia
