Seasons delayed by COVID-19

Winter sports will have to wait a little longer in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Montana prep sports will have to wait until 2021, a year everyone is undoubtedly looking forward to after hopefully surviving the historic 365 days of 2020.

Due to a decision last week by the Montana High School Association executive board, high school winter sports will not be contested until calendar year 2021.

Originally set to begin November 19, winter sports will now begin practice on December 7, with actual competition slated to begin in January for basketball, wrestling and swimming.

MHSA Executive Director Mark Beckman made the announcement last week.

“We’ll have some time to work on requirements and considerations,” Beckman said, adding that he thought that the fall sports went well, in spite of the fact that over 30 football games and many volleyball matches and several cross country meets were cancelled or rescheduled.

MHSA officials are optimistic in thinking that the extra time allowed should make it easier for sports seasons to proceed in an orderly fashion.