The ups and downs of life during Covid-19 have been rather crazy these past few months. Never knowing what the next month, week, or even day could look like certainly takes a toll on students, athletes, and faculty alike. However, in times as monotonous as these, it's important to focus on day-to-day life to keep us going.
Photo courtesy of Pinewood SmugMug
A typical day for a Pinewood athlete generally consists of the regular school day followed by socially distanced sports which happen twice a week. I’m on the tennis team this year, but ideally I would be playing soccer and possibly swimming. Sadly, athletes had to choose which sport they would do from fall until winter and possibly spring, so I chose tennis. As a hybrid student I always bring a mask and my charged Panther Band. On days that I have tennis, I bring my tennis clothes as well. It’s important to note that in order to keep school going, classes must keep their doors and windows open, with desks six feet apart to maximize safety. No matter how mild California winters may be, these circumstances during the winter are harsh.To keep warm, layering is simply a necessity. After a temperature check and a CDC check-in, I carry on with my socially distanced classes. During breaks, my friends and I talk in the halls under the cover from the rain. Lunches are typically the same: we find a spot with sheltering from rain, finish last-minute assignments, and talk amongst ourselves. Finally, after a long day at school, it comes time for tennis practice.
For the tennis team, we practice every Tuesday and Thursday, assuming it does not rain all day, in which case practice would be cancelled.
I’ve had a harder time with inconsistent sports this year, but am grateful we’ve even been able to practice at all with our current situation.
Unfortunately for tennis players, we often do not get to practice during the winter. While sports such as football and baseball can generally be played in any weather conditions, tennis courts need to be dry in order for the season to continue. Rainy courts can be disastrous—slipping as you run to the ball and landing face first is no fun—and so recently, many of our practices have been cancelled. The week of Jan. 25-29, none of our practices were able to take place. It can be rather difficult not knowing whether the practice will be cancelled or not, especially when it comes to planning time for homework and studying.
I’ve had a harder time with inconsistent sports this year, but am grateful we’ve even been able to practice at all with our current situation. A lot of schools have not been able to go back to school at all, much less return to their sports.