AKRON, Ohio — The Firestone High School women's soccer team is getting their kicks during summer training and hoping all of their hard work leads to a successful season, but the coronavirus continues to cause a lot of uncertainty.
"It's a little confusing and it's definitely a little challenging," said Ellie Roper, a senior on the team. "We just continue to work hard. We continue to put in the work and put in 100% the entire time because if we do have a season, we want to make sure that we're prepared."
Coach Amy Gaynor said her team has followed changing COVID-19 guidelines through the summer conditioning program, which included not sharing a ball for a few weeks.
She stressed keeping the teens healthy is the top priority, but added competition with other teams is the end game. Mandatory practice begins on August 1. The team's first game is scheduled for the third week in August.
"I feel like that's what we're playing for. That's what we're keeping in our sights," Gaynor said.
A short-term Ohio Department of Health order through July 15 allows games in contact sports to take place.
However, players, coaches, athletic trainers, support staff and officials must meet several requirements, including not exhibiting signs or symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 72 hours prior to a competition, and taking a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to the start of a competition.
Lt. Governor John Husted also launched a social media campaign called #IWantASeason.
In a video, he encourages Ohioans to take steps to stop the spread of the virus.
"Right now, there is one competitor we must defeat if we want to return to play and that's the spread of the coronavirus," Husted said.
Contact sports games for the fall season have not been permitted yet.
If those move forward, many wonder if athletes will be required to take COVID-19 tests before each game, match, or meet.
"I think it will be hard to manage and hard to figure out, but if that's what we have to do, then we have to do," said Nya Booker, a senior on the team.
Gaynor supports the idea of testing before traveling or playing but feels more information is needed because there are too many unknowns.
"It would be great to know what the process is so that we were able to explain it to the athletes to take some fear away," she said.
Adding to the confusion over the fall season was the sudden decision this week by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to remove Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass.
Bob Goldring has been named the interim executive director.
Gaynor hopes leadership from the OHSSA will provide clear answers to coaches and players soon.
"How do you reassure them that the work they're putting in is worth it for fall when you're not even sure if you're going to have a fall season?"
In the meantime, players like Booker will keep practicing their skills on the field, along with social distancing off of it in the hopes the season will kick-off.
"As an athlete, I feel like it's my responsibility to do everything I can, so wear a mask, washing my hands and keeping my distance because I want my season," Booker said.
