A season lost: Governor's order eliminates spring season in Iowa high schools

As the school closures extended and the sports schedule delays continued, perhaps the unfortunate result came into view for spring sports athletes and coaches.

The news from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds last Friday that schools would remain closed through the end of the academic year, and the resulting cancellation of spring sports, stung just the same.

Summer sports has not been canceled, but is currently suspended with a decision on the start date for baseball and softball to come before June 1.

“While we are disappointed that student-athletes will not have the opportunity to compete this spring, we remain committed to our primary goal of keeping students, coaches, officials and communities safe,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said. “This cancellation comes out of an abundance of caution for the well-being of all. Conducting our spring season would involve moving groups of people in and out of various communities for competition. At this time we believe that is a risk we should not take.”

Among the numerous other spring sports options, track and field is the second most-popular sport for girls and boys in Iowa. In 2018-19, 12,012 boys from 350 schools and 9,908 girls from 348 schools went out for track and field.

A-P girls track and field head coach Alex Pollock met with the team via online communication after the news broke. The Falcons were hoping to follow last year’s second-place team finish in the Class 2A state track and field meet.

“Just finished up [one] of the toughest meetings of my career,” said A-P girls track and field head coach Alex Pollock on Twitter. “This senior group has meant so much to our school and community! Not the way we were supposed to finish up!”

A-P’s Sophia Jungling, entering her senior season of track after winning two individual titles last year and winning a sprint medley relay title as a freshman, reflected on the missed opportunity to try and go 16-for-16 in earning state medals at Drake Stadium.

“Last year we were state runner ups, and all members returning this year,” Jungling said on Twitter. “Now we will never know. It hurts so bad, there are no words. Thanks to my teammates and coaches, who all shaped me into the athlete and person I am. Always have unfinished business.”

Another team with what-ifs is the Dike-New Hartford boys track and field team, with aspirations of trying to repeat as team champions after winning the 2A crown last season. 2019 Drake Relays long jump champion Parker Kiewiet was set to lead the way.

Kiewiet, like Jungling, is set to join the University of Northern Iowa’s track and field team in the fall. But they both wanted that last high school season nonetheless.

“I enjoyed track and field with my guys,” Kiewiet said in a phone interview. “I was just sad overall, so much fun going to meets, to state, Drake. It’s sad, but you just gotta keep working.

“We had the same goals as last year, get as many down to state as we could, hoping to win conference. We had some sophomores and freshmen no one had seen before and we were hoping that maybe those guys could step up in distance and hurdles and I definitely think we had it in us.”

Kiewiet said the Wolverines stayed sharp with weekly workout plans from head coach Will Reingardt, something he hopes to continue working on as he tries to stay in shape for what will hopefully be a truncated baseball season.

“He’s a really good coach and he knows what to do for us to get better,” Kiewiet said.

But should summer sports not happen...

“It’s been super fun with my guys for all four years and my teammates in the senior class,” Kiewiet said. “Training for my freshman year doesn’t feel that long ago."