Photo courtesy of Choate Flickr
As of March 1, Choate entered into a league with four other Connecticut prep schools — Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, and Taft — to start the spring season. The past year has been a public health nightmare for sports around the world. Last fall, Connecticut public schools competed against one another, but the rise in cases during winter made games challenging. Although there are still no Founders League or New England Championship games, the new agreement gives Choate teams a chance to compete safely.
The compact between the five schools sets forth strict guidelines: masks must be worn throughout competitions, coaches and athletes must be tested bi-weekly, and specific mitigation measures must be employed during games. As a result, teams such as Girls’ Varsity Water Polo will not be allowed to play interscholastic matches. “It is obviously devastating to not be able to compete for the second year in a row, but it just gives us all the more time to get better as a team,” said Co-Captain Martha Chessen ’22. “It definitely will motivate us even more for next year,” added Co-Captain Macie Simmons ’22.
Since the other four schools in the league do not have boys’ volleyball teams, no volleyball matches will occur. Sailing is also docked for the term. Ultimate Frisbee did not have a match last weekend but does have games scheduled against Hotchkiss. Both Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field have virtual meets scheduled against the four other schools in the league. Sports with JV and thirds teams will practice daily and have intrasquad scrimmages throughout the spring.
Practices have also changed significantly. Teams are now able to participate in zero-contact drills and conditioning. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s executive order released on March 19 cleared all sports to play full schedules with loosened restrictions. During the previous two terms, sports weren’t allowed to travel off-campus for practice, but this spring Crew will be able to row on Lake Quonnipaug, and Boys’ and Girls’ Golf will practice at the Wallingford Country Club.
Choate has announced that, although after school practices are mandatory for students, interscholastic matches are optional. In order to compete, parents and students must sign a waiver.
Last Saturday, April 3, was the first interscholastic competition since March, 2020. All teams competed against Westminster, with the boys’ teams traveling away and girl’s teams playing at home.
