WSU vs. Cleveland State Women’s Basketball | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Student-athletes were forced to train in unique ways, due to gyms and practice facilities being closed since March because of coronavirus.
Team facilities and gyms were closed for about five months, which made it challenging for student-athletes to stay in shape and train for their season.
“Overall, I believe it may lead to a slow start because we have to focus on conditioning more now, when that usually is the main focus in the off season and summer,” said senior on the women’s basketball team, Nia Sumpter.
This is happening to schools and teams across the country, so it isn’t unique to Wright State University (WSU).
Different circumstances
These tough circumstances forced athletes to do at home workouts, and focus a lot on cardio, because that is essentially the only thing they could do.
“While the gyms and team facilities were closed, I continued to train by shooting on my own outside basketball goal and continued with running along hiking trails once they were allowed to open back up,” said Sumpter.
Now that facilities and gyms are opening back up, there are a multitude of guidelines put in place so that athletes can stay safe. This will be a daunting task for the NCAA because these circumstances are unlike any other we have seen before.
“It might be more difficult to manage any new infections and resulting potential for COVID-19 spread within athletics, and specifically within a team environment,” according to NCAA’s website.
Remaining focused
Everything being shut down for months was tough on everyone, but student-athletes now have to try to get in shape while also practicing to improve at their sport.
The golf team was fairly lucky because golf courses across Ohio remained open, so they were able to train and prepare for the season as usual.
“We continued to train by keeping our goal of making it out of regionals in mind and playing/practicing at various courses in the Dayton/Cincinnati/Columbus area,” said senior on the golf team, Bryce Haney.
Student-athletes have to try to accomplish several different things during their practices to ensure they will be ready to compete when the season begins
