MSHSAA still plans to hold spring championships

A pair of St. Elizabeth players embrace after the Hornets won the Class 1 state baseball title last June in O'Fallon.
A pair of St. Elizabeth players embrace after the Hornets won the Class 1 state baseball title last June in O'Fallon.

Spring sports haven't started yet, but the Missouri State High School Activities Association is still operating under the assumption those sports will have championships this year.

"If we are able to maintain locations for hosting the championship series, and schools are wishing to participate in the postseason, we will conduct the championships," MSHSAA executive director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn said in a release Monday. "We are not canceling any spring sports at this time!"

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The organization, made up of member schools, said the championships will go on starting in May if at all possible.

"As of today we are not canceling any spring sport championships," MSHSAA said in the release. "The MSHSAA office will stay in communication with state and local officials to help determine the possibility of holding the championships either as scheduled or rescheduling them as long as schools are still in session."

Practice for spring sports began two weeks ago last Monday. All sports are required to have 15 practice sessions in before starting competition with other schools. With schools such as Jefferson City, Capital City and Helias calling off classes starting Wednesday, those spring sports would not have the required 15 practices in.

As an example, with the current scheduled resumption of classes April 6 at those three schools, they would likely need at least two additional practices to reach the required 15.

That would mean the first date of competition for high school sports in schools that closed likely would be Wednesday, April 8. That would be for the more individualized sports. For baseball and girls soccer, it would likely be later than that. It is currently too soon to know whether schools would pick up on their original schedule or whether developing new schedules would be needed.

Schools will not be allowed to practice or play games while it is closed due to COVID-19. If a school decides to stay in session, MSHSAA said it is that school's decision on whether to hold practices and games.

"This is consistent with our prior efforts to execute a measured response under the guidance of the appropriate health and governmental authorities," Urhahn said.

Here are the current dates on the MSHSAA calendar for spring sports to begin their postseasons with district competitions:

Boys golf - May 4-6.

Spring softball - May 4-7.

Track and field - May 9.

Boys tennis - May 11-15.

Girls soccer - May 16-21.

Baseball: May 15-23.