N-O getting set for a “virtual” swim season

In this very uncertain Pandemic year of 2020 remote learning, zoom meetings and virtual events have become the norm, changes which certainly has affected sports at all levels.

Locally, the Niagara-Orleans League is preparing for what will be a most unusual season of “virtual” boys and girls swim meets.

The “virtual” meets, which would match Albion vs. Medina for example, will have each team swimming the events at its own pool. The times of the teams would then be compared by a computer program to determine the winner of each event and the overall winning team.

“It’s not ideal but it gives the kids an opportunity to do something and right now there is not a lot that they can do,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley.

Practice sessions for the season are scheduled to begin on December 14 with the first of the virtual meets being slated for December 22 with Newfane vs. Albion, Medina vs. Roy-Hart and Barker vs. Akron.

The meets are slated to be held without spectators.

The first meets had been scheduled for December 10 but when the start of practices were moved back from November 30 to December 14 the first three meets (Dec. 10, 12 and 17) had to be rescheduled and are now slated for three Saturdays in January.

Practices for the winter season’s “High Risk” sports of basketball land wrestling are scheduled to begin on January 4 as of now. However, an update on the status of those sports is expected to be released by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association by December 21.