Behind The Scoreboard – Dutchess Girls Make Splash During COVID

Garden City NY

02 June, 2021

9:44 AM

Description

My philosophy is "Everything I ever needed to know about business I learned on the sports field." From Behind The Scoreboard, I feature the sports stories that tell us much more than simply who won or lost. These personal and inspiring experiences of grade school, high school, college, other amateur and even pro athletes allow all of us to reflect a little more on what is important in life. ~ James C. Metzger, Chairman and CEO, The Whitmore Agency _______ Everyone Into The Pool Despite COVID-19 So many young athletes were affected by the pandemic. Besides their health, they were concerned about their studies and possible college scholarships. In Dutchess County, girls swim teams found a way to compete (with special thanks to coaches and school administrators) and enjoy the teamwork. Beacon High School opened its pool to swimmers from four Dutchess high schools while many schools and colleges closed pools to outsiders. Our Lady of Lourdes High School (photo), a Catholic school that competes in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, was permitted 90 minutes pool access for practices or meets six days per week. Dual and invitational swimming meets were conducted virtually. Swimmers competed in their home pools with times entered into a computer system to determine individual and team winners. It gave the girls at Lourdes and other schools a sense of normalcy during a very abnormal year. Read about the Lourdes swim team in my blog. _______ I think quarantining for COVID opened our eyes to how much we really appreciate soccer and how much we really love being together. And it gave us a better perspective on how we need to take every moment and just grow and learn to be present with each other. They’re more than just my teammates, they’re my family. It’s just a different energy out on the field now, because we never know when it’s going to be taken away again. ~ A collegiate athlete affected by the pandemic.