Another school sports season, another set of safety guidelines. If one thing has remained consistent this year, it has been plans are always changing. However, with spring sports kicking off today, the dust has finally settled.

Headlining the updated guidelines is the removal of the complete postseason restriction. For the first time since the winter season of 2019-2020, over a year ago, there will be sectional championships.

This is a major step towards making sports feel normal again, and it gives teams a little something extra to play for. The Red Rams are welcoming the opportunity to have the opportunity to win a title again.

“It [sectionals] was something I never thought I would get to play in again,” said senior baseball player Nolen Brann. “I’m extremely excited to get the chance one more time.”

Senior track athlete Jillian Kordas agreed. “It’s very exciting to have sectionals this year. It gives the team something to work towards.”

Although there won’t be state championships held this spring, there will finally be some hardware to take home.

The other primary shift in safety guidelines is the loosening restriction on fan attendance. For almost the entire winter seasons, no fans could go to any athletic events. There were a few minor exceptions for Senior Nights, but for the most part, the policy was no fans at all. In the second fall season, a limited number of fans were allowed to attend events. As the spring season begins, the specifics are still up in the air, but regardless of what details are decided on, there will be fans allowed at games, meets, and matches.

As always, masks will be worn, social distancing will take place, and equipment will be sanitized. These practices have allowed for relatively smooth sailing so far considering the difficult circumstances. The Red Rams certainly hope that this pattern will continue throughout the final season of the year.