Facing rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, the OCU campus has moved almost all classes online. The university began the Spring 2022 semester on a moderate alert level.
The university has taken steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The measures include social distancing, masking, cleaning, and limited activities.
The athletics department is implementing COVID-19 testing for athletes.
OCU officials say that sports will continue as normal. However, the first two basketball games of the season have already been canceled.
Jan. 1 was supposed to be the kickoff for the basketball season, but it was delayed after officials determined that rising COVID-19 numbers implied a health risk.
Two-time all-American OCU basketball player Abigail Selzer says that the cancellation was mentally challenging “because the team was practicing well and felt prepared to start playing again.” She says that they were “hoping that Covid-19 would stop last year so this year would be more normal.”
But despite their hope, the start of this year mimics the start of 2020, since basketball games versus Waylan and Panhandle have already been canceled. OCU athletes are entering a rocky start of the year, they may be facing a canceled season.
“When I was not able to compete, I maintained my motivation by reminding myself that I would be out on the field again. The lack of certainty about when was an issue but just the idea of being out there playing again kept me motivated,” OCU Soccer Athlete Tommy Mcelyea said.
Selzer said “Staying motivated during the pandemic was difficult just because it felt like we were practicing for no reason … Right now, the team is all ready for this brief period of not competing to end so that they can get back to accomplishing their goals for the season.”
Although it has been difficult for athletes to remain motivated, some have found positive aspects.
Selzer says that she had a “new perspective on basketball since the pandemic has begun. The pandemic reminds me of how much I love the sport.”
Mcelyea says that the pandemic has shown him that “It can all be taken away at any time so we must enjoy it while we can.”
OCU’s shift to a moderate COVID-19 alert level has led some athletes to wonder if their sports will continue as normal this season or be canceled.
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