CIF clarifies high school sports that could start on Jan. 25

The California Interscholastic Federation, on Tuesday, Jan. 5 provided further information on guidelines that will provide a roadmap as to which teams could theoretically begin competition on Jan. 25.

Depending on where each county lands on impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain sports would be allowed to compete while others would not.

A few months ago, CIF changed the 2020-21 school year athletic calendar to be conducted in two seasons, instead of the traditional three.

Season 1, which was to compete from January through April, consisted of traditional competitive cheer, cross country, field hockey, football, gymnastics, skiing/snowboarding, girls volleyball, and boys and girls water polo.

According to the new guidelines, and the current threat designation of "Widespread" or Purple Tier in San Diego County, only cross country, golf, skiing/snowboarding, swimming and diving, and tennis are eligible to compete.

That means starting Jan. 25, Fallbrook High and Bonsall High cross country teams can go forward with plans to compete.

If the county falls into the Red Tier, or "Substantial," in the next two weeks, field hockey could begin.

Football, gymnastics, girls volleyball, and boys and girls water polo can return if the county is designated in the Orange Tier, or "Moderate."

Cheer could return if the county reaches Yellow Tier, or "Minimal."

With coronavirus cases continuing to surge in San Diego County, deaths related to the virus and hospitalizations overwhelming area hospitals, it's doubtful the county would be moved into the Red Tier for quite some time.

Season 2 would compete from March through June and included badminton, baseball, basketball, competitive sport cheer, golf, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer, softball, boys and girls swimming and diving, boys and girls tennis, track and field, boys volleyball, and wrestling.

Basketball and wrestling, for example, couldn't start until San Diego County reaches the Yellow Tier. On the other hand, swimming, golf, tennis and track and field could begin competitions in March, even if the county is still in the Purple Tier.

All of the guidelines are available at https://www.cifstate.org/covid-19/CIF_CV-19_Guidelines.pdf.

"Everyone in California wants students to be able to return to in-person learning, sports, and all other co-curricular activities that are so important for their physical and mental wellbeing," CIF said in the update. "As COVID-19 transmission rates are rising significantly in California, communities across the state must continue to take measures to limit the spread of the virus."

CIF included instructions for schools, leagues and sections in the event of a positive test for COVID-19 that schools should follow the current California Department of Public Health Guidelines for Schools.

Those state that any student-athlete testing positive for COVID-19 "may not return to practice or competition until cleared by their physician, and schools must still follow all guidelines from their local county and the governing board of their school district or private/parochial school."

They also said that physical conditioning, practice and skill-building can occur outdoors, with six feet of physical distancing, and within team cohorts, for all sports, no matter what tier the respective county is in.

CIF said updates and changes will be provided weekly.

There was no statement or update available from CIF San Diego Section, which governs Fallbrook and Bonsall high schools.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].