By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Athletics in the Rio Grande Valley might be taking a hit during the next few weeks as school districts take action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Harlingen CISD, Los Fresnos CISD, Point Isabel ISD and Brownsville ISD all released statements saying they would be suspending all school-sponsored travel outside of the Valley and some athletic events to keep students and faculty safe. There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Valley so far.
Brownsville athletic administrator Gilbert D. Leal and Harlingen athletic director Robert Davies both said their athletic programs will be competing in sporting events that are happening in the Valley and against schools from this area, but that the decision could change at any moment.
The BISD city track & field meet will go on as planned today, starting at 9 a.m. at Sams Memorial Stadium, and other Brownsville programs will continue to participate in games and events.
Los Fresnos, however, announced it was suspending athletic events at the high school and middle school levels, meaning baseball, softball, track, golf, tennis and powerlifting will go on practicing but will not be competing in events, even in the Region One area.
The Falcons’ baseball team pulled out of the PSJA Mike Rodriguez Tournament in which they were scheduled to participate through the weekend, and the Lady Falcons’ softball district opener against Harlingen South has been postponed, despite the Lady Hawks and the other five schools in 32-6A still being allowed to play.
Los Fresnos’ boys soccer team clinched its first district title in program history last Friday but now has to sit and wait to see how its postseason will play out. A decision will be made March 23 regarding if and when the first playoff game will be played.
It is not clear yet whether Port Isabel athletics will continue to compete in the Valley or will be suspending all sporting events until the spread of coronavirus is under control.
Also, state qualifiers in powerlifting are in limbo as the THSWPA announced Thursday that it would be suspending the girls state powerlifting meet that was scheduled for March 20-21 in Waco.
Event cancellations and school-district travel bans have been popping up across Texas after the shocking suspension of the NBA season announced Wednesday night. Many other large organizations have followed suit, such as the NCAA canceling March Madness and the College World Series.
The UIL suspended the boys state basketball tournament that was taking place at the Alamodome after Thursday night’s Class 3A semifinal games. No state champions have been crowned. It is still to be determined how the remaining sports playoffs and state tournaments will play out.
Many Texas colleges and universities have extended their spring breaks to keep students and faculty off campus and could be switching to online-only classes to finish the school year.