La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 spring sports season across Washington state. Now the La Conner softball and track teams are sidelined for a two-week period, due to recent positive COVID-19 test results among team members.

“We have had several COVID cases in track and one currently in softball,” interim La Conner Schools Superintendent Rich Stewart told the Weekly News on Saturday. “Both teams are in quarantine for the required 14 days and will require tests.”

Stewart said La Conner Schools staff is working with the Skagit County Department of Health to conduct contact tracing.

The positive COVID-19 test results shelved the softball team’s scheduled trip to Coupeville and a dual track meet with Mount Vernon Christian at Whittaker Field last Friday.

The Lady Braves softball team has played twice – hosting Darrington and traveling to Friday Harbor – to open an abbreviated league schedule running through April 3. The La Conner track teams swept a season-opening NW2B meet at Coupeville on March 5.

Stewart said La Conner Schools officials are closely monitoring the situation as tentative plans call for high school students to return to campus for an in-person hybrid instructional model on March 29.

“Andy Wheeler and Kathy Herrera report that coaches, staff and parents have been very understanding and helpful,” said Stewart.

Wheeler is La Conner Schools Director of Special Programs. Herrera doubles as La Conner Middle and High School principal and the district’s director of athletics.

Stewart said La Conner Schools is reminding parents to keep students at home if they experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Pandemic safeguards and safety protocols have been in place for sports events on the La Conner campus. Those attending La Conner’s March 6 home softball game with Darrington were required to undergo a health screening for COVID-19 prior to admission. La Conner High also hosted a baseball game between Mount Vernon Christian and Darrington that day. Attendance was likewise tied to health screening.

La Conner High has not fielded a baseball team in three years, but now the Braves are back in the swing of things.

The Braves baseball team, with no reported COVID-19 cases, was able to play at Coupeville last week – falling 12-2 in a game closer than the score indicates. La Conner is slated to debut at home opposite Mount Vernon Christian this Friday at 4 p.m.

“In the end,” said La Conner coach Jeremiah LeSourd, “what matters is we have an opportunity to compete. We are in a position to give others hope that team sports are possible.”