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SPORTS
January 20, 2021
Intramural sports stays virtual this winter In past winters, the Recreation Center has been able to interact with students on campus through tabling events at the SURC. This year, the Recreation Center is using social media platforms such as Although COVID-19 has restricted Instagram @cwurecreation, Discord and on-campus activities, intramural sports Twitch to interact with students and get are following COVID-19 protocols and them involved. offering virtual events this winter. Senior and Intramural ManagThere er Spencer are severDalvell said al events that the Recplanned for reation Centhis quarter is finding ter, includnew ways to ing esports, get students trivia nights to interact on Twitch, with each the Hyother, since dration COVID-19 Challenge, affects in-perWildcat Fit son events. Challenge “As we’ve and the inbeen able to door Ironhave a couman. ple quarters T h e to experi- Shanna Kessler, Recreation ence what Intramural Sports and Special Center has it’s like with Events Coordinator plans to of[COVID-19], fer in-perwe’re figurson events ing out some as well, but new things to Intramural kinda introSports and duce and try Special Events Coordinator Shanna Kes- to expand upon what we already have,” sler said that, depending on what phase Dalvell said. the county is in, those events are still in Senior Intramural Sports Supervithe process of being approved. sor Madison Fritts said the Recreation “Each quarter since the pandemic so Center staff offers several online portals far we have had the opportunity to learn for different levels of fitness. The gym is as we go and then reflect back on what taking reservations, and the Recreation worked and what didn’t,” Kessler said. Center is offering different programs for Ondrea Machin Staff Reporter
Each quarter since the pandemic so far we have had the opportunity to learn as we go and then reflect back on what worked and what didn’t.
Photo courtsey of CWU recreation center
Student’s playing basketball inside the Recreation Center while being socially distant.
people who prefer to stay inside or find the gym intimidating. “Getting people involved in some kind of activity is really beneficial for mental health, since we are stuck inside all the time and sitting behind our computers all day,” Fritts said. Fritts oversees the Hydrate and Wildcat Fit Challenges. These events are virtual and at our own pace with health profes-
sionals to help people along the way. Kessler said that the staff is highly prepared to enforce COVID-19 policies and handle conflict and help people understand what is going on. All intramural sports, except the indoor Ironman, have no fees or cost to participate due to the financial circumstances of each student being different. For some students, it is a difficult time financially.
Football team targets character building as it continues to persevere through COVID-19 restrictions Gabriel Strasbaugh Staff Reporter The Wildcats’ return has the football team preparing for a season that’s better late than never. Despite the continuation of the pandemic, the football team’s 2020 season is in the final stages to get into competitive gameplay. While off from classes, winter conditioning has the players keeping up their workout regimens for not just themselves, but their teammates as well. Junior Linebacker Daeon Hudson said the team’s first mindset is what defines the culture in the locker room. “We hold ourselves accountable” Hudson said, “keep in contact through ourselves and within our groups like defense.” Part of their accountability is presenting individual progress with the players in each positional group. “We be taking pictures of the work that we’ve done for that day. When you see your brothers doing their thing, it motivates you like I can’t let them down,” Hudson said. Inspiration has now claimed its spot atop of the Wildcats’ checklist heading into the season. Last season the Wildcats’ defense gave up an average of 29 points per game. With the core group of players still intact with a strong junior
Photo courtsey of CWU athletics
CWU’s football team participating in a ROTC winter condition last year inside the field house of Nicholson Pavilion.
and senior foundation, the defense is looking to cut that number down to swing clock possession in the Wildcats’ favor and present more scoring for their offense. The final six games of the previous season showed the turning of the tide for the Wildcats, as they did not come up short on the scoreboard for the rest of the year.
Success on both sides of the ball are results from the difference in culture in the locker room. According to Hudson, the culture now resembles the 2017 team whose sole loss came in the postseason. A willingness by each person on the team to speak their thoughts and feelings. “We got a hundred people on the team, players, coaches and all. And we all come
from different backgrounds. So, we all have to come together to make the one,” Hudson said. The coaching staff has now adapted their winter conditioning to feature more of an emphasis this season on character building; you being the change while inspiring others to follow suit. Offensive Coordinator Zachary Tinker said the emphasis on unity is just part of the plans and lessons they as a staff persist to instill in the players. “It hits all of our core values of character strength and honor. The concept of perseverance knowing that the tough times won’t last,” Tinker said. In regard to the university, following government regulations continue to impact the team’s plans in the foreseeable future. Head coach Chris Fisk said that the adversity continuing just makes his team stronger. “I think one thing [COVID-19] has taught is to appreciate and be excited about what you do have, and what you can do. We will make the most of it,” Fisk said. “We’ll have to make a few adjustments to our winter conditioning due to some of the close quarter combative contact stuff we would do in the past.” Fisk said the first day the team will meet in person since winter break will be Martin Luther King Day, with their first conditioning tentatively scheduled for Jan.19.
