Catocton Fall sports return

Mia Ferraro
CHS Class of 2022

(9/2021) Catoctin High School welcomed back our athletes and coaches to the fall sports season on August 11th. The season is expected to differ greatly from the previous in regards to FCPS’ new safety guidelines. After the shortened and delayed fall season of the 2020-2021 school year, the fall teams returned to a full schedule, less restrictive (but still effective) COVID safety policies, and the approval of play-offs and state championship tournaments.

Athletic competitions begin September 3rd. This athletic season consists of the following sports: cheerleading - coached by Stephanie Munday; cross country - coached by Dave Lillard (boys) and Lois Strickland (girls); field hockey - coached by Miriah Stone; football - coached by Mike Rich; golf - coached by Jeremy Johnson; soccer - coached by Kevin Felichko (boys) and Megan Olson (girls); unified tennis - coached by Charmane Nesbitt; and volleyball - coached by Wes Fream.

With a clear and steady improvement over the last few seasons, the CHS girls soccer team is back and prepared to make their mark on another season. "My goal for our team this season is to win!" Senior athlete Emily Williams said. Williams had played soccer with the Catoctin Youth Association in addition to club soccer for years prior to joining the CHS team in her freshman year. She looks forward to enjoying the wider opportunities given by the COVID safety guidelines. "Last year we couldn’t ride the bus, and we had to wear masks. This year the team can ride the bus, which will be so much fun," she said, then added, "and no masks make the conditioning easier!" Two years ago, the girls soccer team scored their first regular season win in three years, with Williams having scored the final goal. They returned last season with a refreshed sense of motivation, and finished with two victories. The team prepares to build off of this progress in the new season. "I am super excited to start playing games; I love the competition and leading my team," said Williams. The team’s first match of the season will take place at the high school on September 9th against Liberty High School.

New runner and freshman Kylie Foster joined the cross country team with the goals of strengthening her endurance, improving her running skills while reducing her mile time, and building relationships with the other team members. "As competitions begin," she said, "I am most looking forward to gaining experience while meeting others who share the same interests." According to Foster, practices range from a variety of workouts, with each one exercising a different part of the body. Depending on the day, practices may consist of slow long-distance runs, running hills, weight room training, and critical velocity training. Foster has enjoyed learning from coaches Lillard and Strickland as she familiarizes herself with the cross country team. "The coaches are fantastic and are always pushing you to do your best," she said.

This will be Lillard’s second year of coaching at CHS after joining the community with 20 years of coaching experience under his belt. He works closely alongside Strickland, who is now onto her fourth year of coaching at Catoctin. In addition to cross country, Lillard and Strickland both coach indoor track in the winter and track & field in the spring. The pair leads the teams with a strong sense of community and teamwork. "What I enjoy most about joining the team is the people," Foster expressed. "I have enjoyed meeting all the members and being able to form friendships with them. Everyone on the team is super supportive!"

After policies regarding COVID prevented her team from advancing into play-offs, senior athlete Paige Romeril returned this season with the determination to win the volleyball state championship. "To get there, we are going to take it one game at a time and play our hardest," she said. Romeril has been playing volleyball for nine years and has played on the CHS varsity volleyball team since freshman year. "The big goal for our team is to win states," Romeril said. She is also looking forward to making up for lost opportunities of last year, including team dinners and hangouts. "I am really looking forward to having a student section at the games this year," Romeril added. "We always have a big turnout at the games but last year we missed out due to COVID-19."

The varsity team ended the regular season last year with an overall record of 6-4, and the junior varsity team ended with a record of 5-3. "The JV and Varsity teams were both very competitive and I truly believe that we had a very good shot at a state championship," coach Fream expressed in last year’s volleyball banquet speech. "COVID has robbed us of this opportunity but it did not stop us from getting to enjoy the game of volleyball, and more importantly, one another." This season, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) gave their approval for fall play-offs and state tournaments, fueling the volleyball team’s dedication. This will also mean that the team can compete against non-FCPS teams. "I am super excited to compete against new teams that we have never played before," Romeril expressed. The first varsity volleyball match of the season will take place at the high school on September 9th against Frederick High School.

New COVID Safety Policies

The policies regarding COVID-19 in place this season for FCPS athletics differ significantly from those of the last fall sports season. FCPS guidelines for athletics are established by the FCPS Return to Play (RTP) subcommittee. They are based on guidance from the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland State Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Frederick County Public Schools.

Last fall sports season--as well as the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year--all student-athletes, coaches, game management staff, and spectators were to wear face coverings at all times inside school buildings. This season, face coverings are required indoors with the exception of athletes actively participating in athletic competitions, practices, organized training activities, and weight training exercises--in which case face coverings are optional.

During the 2020-2021 athletic seasons, face coverings were mandatory for coaches, game management staff, and spectators at any outdoor event. This policy applied to athletes as well when possible and safe. Masks were therefore discouraged on hot days as regarded as an unsafe condition. This season, however, face coverings are optional to any person at an outdoor athletic event but are recommended to all when physical distancing can not be maintained, except for athletes actively participating in any athletic activity.

All student-athletes and coaches are required to wear face coverings on FCPS buses to and from an athletic event, as they were for the 2020-2021 athletic seasons. A maximum of 22 passengers were allowed on one bus when transported to an athletic competition last season. There are currently no FCPS guidelines this season regarding social distancing or limiting passengers on buses, except that the seat behind the driver should always remain empty as space allows. A new policy states that seating charts are required and must always be prepared by school staff prior to boarding the bus.

FCPS states that "the health and safety of FCPS student-athletes, coaches and all athletic stakeholders will continue to be FCPS’ top priority and drive all decision making." Athletes, coaches, and fans alike are excited to take advantage of the new opportunities while being safe. While FCPS guidelines may be updated at any time, the community anticipates a somewhat smooth return to traditional high school sports. For Frederick County updates regarding COVID and vaccines, text "FredCOVID19" to 888777.