One of the hardest hit school activities from coronavirus closings was spring sports. With the outdoor track season usually filled with fun and large meets, the Holy Cross track team was unwilling to let their season go.

As the weeks went by and the closure of schools and quarantine updates became more serious, the team became discouraged. Since the beginning of the closings, outdoor track coach Carlos Pla has been sending weekly updates to keep the team informed since the week school closed. He was determined to keep the team motivated and not let the season end so abruptly.

“We will continue to train hard up until 5/15-5/16… that was the date of the WCAC Championship,” Coach Pla wrote in one of his emails.

The track team is running just as smoothly with the coach’s organization and weekly email reports. However, it was not this easy to start up practice as normal.

“It has been a little difficult [keeping up with practice outside of Holy Cross], however our coaches have provided us with enough information and motivation to continue our exercises and workouts as instructed,” Madeline Sawyer, a track team member, said.

She and the team miss being able to work out together as it made practices more fun and entertaining.

“I miss the team and how we bonded in the meets,” Sawyer also commented.

Track meets, like Penn Relays, are an important part of the season for the members of team. It is a close knit team, just like most sports.

The team missed most of the season because it had barely started before the closure of school, but the team has kept in touch. Coronavirus has not dampened the exercising mood and the team hopes school will be back again in time for the next season.

“Being thrusted into a situation where no one really knew what to expect and for how long is challenging, compounded with the academic rigor you have been under, I really must tip my hat to you all,” Pla encouraged. “This isn’t easy, yet you all have shown that no matter what adversity you face, the youth of today is strong, stronger then ever and I really am honored to be associated with you all.”