The outside of the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex. St. Thomas Athletics began a four-week no practice period on Saturday, Nov. 21 after Gov. Tim Walz implemented a four-week dial back on certain activities Wednesday to slow the spread of COVID-19. (TommieMedia file photo)
According to a university source, St. Thomas Athletics began a four-week no practice period on Saturday, Nov. 21 after Gov. Tim Walz implemented a four-week dial back on certain activities Wednesday to slow the spread of COVID-19.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, college athletics are not allowed to conduct practice unless athletes are tested three times per week.
“If a higher education institute chooses to continue intercollegiate athletic programming, athletes must be tested for COVID-19 three times per week even during weeks when there is no competition and there is only practice,” MDH wrote on its COVID-19 recommendations document for higher education institutes.
Junior cross country and track and field runner Sarah Ziemann agrees with the decision to pause practices.
“I certainly understand the decision to stop sports. I think that St. Thomas has shown that there hasn’t been a spread in classes, but I don’t know that they can say the same about sports teams,” Ziemann said.
Senior women’s basketball player Macy Hatlestad is bummed that her senior season hasn’t gone as planned, but she realizes the purpose for the guidelines.
“It’s not fun, especially as a senior, because I want to be out there playing, but this is something that is bigger than us so all of us have to make sacrifices right now,” Hatlestad said.
Ziemann hopes to compete in track and field events this spring, but the current case count concerns her.
“Obviously, the number of cases is getting more and more concerning but it is tough to hear because it feels like we are taking steps backwards instead of forwards,” Ziemann said.
Hatlestad points to off-campus gatherings as the root cause for the university’s rise in cases.
“Outside of campus is where the bigger issue is, and right now that’s just out of our control, but I think the university is making the right move of keeping everyone’s safety in the forefront of their decisions,” Hatlestad said.
St. Thomas Athletics chose not to comment publicly.
Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.