PORT ANGELES — The final outcome seemed all but inevitable for weeks. What little glimmer of hope remained for a spring prep sports season was washed away Monday afternoon when Gov. Jay Inslee announced that students would not return to their classrooms this school year.
High school sports were not specifically addressed by the governor in his remarks or in a press release on the school closures and in it’s last chance at bat the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the organization overseeing prep athletics and activities at the state level, quickly asked for further details from the state government.
That final bit of promise soon was washed away.
“The WIAA has received clarification that the order issued by Gov. Inslee on Monday includes the cancellation of all in-person extracurricular athletics and activities through the end of the school year. This will include all regular season contests and practices as well as all postseason tournaments and championship events,” the organization said in a press release.
“The decision was undoubtedly a difficult one for Gov. Inslee. However, it was done so to keep the students and families of Washington safe. The WIAA Executive Board and the WIAA Staff feel for those students around the state that have had their seasons or careers cut short. This terrible disease has not only prevented students from creating lifelong memories through competition, it has limited the valuable lessons gained through participation in education-based athletics and activities.”
There will be no losers, but nobody comes out of this situation a winner.
Port Angeles softball coach Randy Steinman offered some perspective.
“It’s not so much softball, but senior ball, All-City Strings [musical performance], the scholarship assembly and graduation,” Steinman said. “All that stuff, the memories they aren’t going to get to make. That’s what’s difficult.”
Steinman was excited for a promising season before the world turned upside down.
“As far as softball, we were going to make some noise this year, no doubt,” Steinman said.
“I have five seniors and all are quality ballplayers. The year we got second [at state in 2017], this was comparable to that team. It’s tough, I tell you. When you have a group like this, I waited seven months from when the no-contact rules went into effect Aug. 1 and I got two weeks with them. This is one of the years I’ve been most excited for.”
Steinman also said his team was aiming for a third-straight academic state championship.
“These girls worked so hard in the classroom. They wanted that three-peat and went out and got a 3.86, the highest GPA we have ever had, which would likely have guaranteed that three-peat. That shows the type of kids we have.”
Spirited rivalry contests are lost, friendship and bonding opportunities over before they really got a chance to begin. There will be no Senior Night contests for the class of 2020, no ability for parents, family and friends to express their pride and admiration. There will be no upstart runs to state championships.
Port Angeles baseball coach Casey Dietz was looking forward to his first season as head coach of the Roughriders after spending time as an assistant with the team under Karl Myers.
“Moving forward to next year has become the focus,” Dietz said Tuesday after he ironed out details on gathering team uniforms from players and scheduling with Port Angeles athletic director Dwayne Johnson.
“We told them April 27 would be the date we would be back together,” Dietz said of the team’s final practice. The 27th was a very singular focus in my mind. Once [the stay at home order] was extended and then with school ultimately canceled, it’s definitely been tough news to hear.”
Dietz’ first thoughts were for his seniors — a talented group of players who have been together for years, including a trip to the Cal Ripken World Series in Florida in 2014.
“I’ve reached out to some of our seniors to check in with them,” Dietz said. “This decision is exponentially more difficult for them.
“I’ve really struggled to find the words to express to the team as a whole because you want to make sure when you reach out there is some substance behind it. I think trying to keep perspective is an important piece during this. We are all going through this as a program and statewide, everybody else is going through it. In a time of adversity, leaning on your teammates is a good way to get through it.”
A number of the seniors, including Brody Merritt, Lucas Jarnagin and Milo Whitman, have signed to continue their baseball careers with NWAC schools. Tyler Bowen also has signed to play football for Puget Sound.
“That’s a positive for those who have signed on to play at the next level,” Dietz said. “This doesn’t ultimately signal the end for them. They can continue their careers. And we still have guys looking for homes and I think all of them have the ability to play at the next level. So that becomes my job, to contact coaches and colleges and let them know the type of players and people they would get when they add Port Angeles kids.”
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
