This Friday and UHSAA News

This Friday, the Cavemen are traveling to Cedar Fort for their annual run at Coach Hunziker's House. The girls will be leaving AFHS at 6:15 AM, while the boys will be leaving AFHS at 6:30 AM. Don't be late and we will need parents to help drive athletes.

The UHSAA just published return to play guidelines for coaches, athletes, and spectators (parents).

UHSAA General Best Practices and Guidelines 

1. No shaking hands before/after game. 

2. Players/coaches on bench/sideline are highly recommended to wear masks. 

3. Fans are encouraged to wear masks when social distancing isn’t feasible. 

4. Understand and practice school/district and local health protocols for COVID-19 prevention and tracking. 

5. Place signage in facilities to inform participants/spectators on protocol and best practices. 

6. Any players, coaches, or spectators who are sick shall not be engaged in practices and/or contests. 

UHSAA Sport-by-Sport Specific Best Practices and Guidelines 

Cross Country General Considerations: 

Social distancing of at least 6 feet should be maintained at all times. 

No hugging, shaking hands, or fist bumps for support/encouragement. 

Cross country meets should consider using staggered, wave or interval starts. 

Possible Rule Modifications: 8-1-3a: Consider widening the course to at least 6 feet at its narrowest point. 

Finish: • Consider using finish corrals and FAT timing for larger meets as easier to distance at finish. • With no FAT timing system consider alternative means of finish place and time to address congestion at finish line. • Consider using image-based equipment at finish to assist with picking place to avoid congestion. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and exercise equipment. 

Pre and Post Game Ceremony: Establish cross country specific social distancing meet protocols including the elimination of handshakes before and after the match. 

Considerations for Coaches: Communicate your guidelines in a clear manner to students and parents. Consider conducting workouts in “pods” of same students always training and rotating together in practice to ensure more limited exposure if someone develops an infection. 

Keep accurate records of those athletes and staff who attend each practice in case contact tracing is needed. Considerations for Students: 

• Consider making each student responsible for their own supplies. 

• Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing), and individual clothing/ towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home. 

• Hand sanitizer should be plentiful at all contests and practices. 

• Athletes should tell coaches immediately when they are not feeling well. 

• Cloth face coverings are permitted. 

• Bring your own water bottle. 

Considerations for Parents (A family’s role in maintaining safety guidelines for themselves and others): 

• Make sure your child and immediate household members are free from illness before participating in practice and competition (if there is doubt stay home),

 • Provide personal items for your child and clearly label them. 

• Disinfect your students’ personal equipment after each game or practice.