Wrestling during COVID

“At this point, with everything that has happened in the last year, we are so excited to have a season at all,” Head Coach Billy Monroe said about the wrestling season, which normally takes place in winter, starting this week. 

“Even two months ago it didn’t even seem possible,” he said. “Having the season in the spring isn’t all bad. Just this first week we have been able to take the kids outside for cardio workouts and running.”

“My goal is to make this short season as memorable as possible especially for our senior athletes,” he continued. “For everyone else, I see it as a six-week training camp for next wrestling season.”

Current guidelines from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association require wrestlers to wear masks during their matches.

As of now, per WIAA guidelines, wrestlers must wear masks during their matches, as well as to be Covid tested with a rapid test the day of each match.

During the match, if a wrestler’s mask comes off, the referee will not stop the match and let them continue to wrestle. But when they go out of bounds or have a pause in action, the athletes will then put their mask back up.

“As coaches, we are still trying to find a style of mask that will stay up,” Monroe said. “Athletes in our practice room are trying everything from neck-gaiters to conventional behind-the-ear masks to see what will be the most effective.”

Weather permitting, the Raiders will host their June 9, 6:30 p.m. home match on the football field under the lights.

“This allows for more spectators to see our athletes compete because WIAA regulations are different for outdoor events,” Monroe explained. “It also will hopefully make it a more special event being outside; during the winter this will never be an option.”

Monroe also was glad to have three girls turn out for wrestling this year. 

“Women’s wrestling has really increased in popularity, not only in Washington but throughout the United States,” he said. “Assistant Coach Justus Caudell and I are really excited about building a girls’ program here at LR.”