Ready, set, go … NHS fall sports are on

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
We’ve been waiting five months, and the time has finally arrived. The Dogies are poised to begin the fall sports seasons, and by all appearances, they are more than ready to get at it. 
Football, volleyball, cross country and girls’ swimming will take to their respective venues on Monday, Aug. 17, to prepare for what they hope to be a full season. With the ever-present Coronavirus looming, there will be some changes for each sport, but all are looking forward to getting back out there to compete.
For all sports, student athletes must have obtained their physical prior to their first practice.
Dogie football will kick things off with a 4 p.m. player meeting at Schoonmaker Field on Monday, Aug. 17, followed immediately by practice until 6 p.m. The players will get a dinner break and then return to the field for practice from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This schedule will be followed Tuesday through Thursday as well.
Players need to bring their own water bottle to practice and will not be allowed to share. Players may bring face coverings to be worn before and after practice, though team face shields will be provided.
Lady Dogie volleyball will also get started on Aug. 17, and will be going twice a day through the first week.
Morning conditioning will take place at the track/weight room from 6 to 7:30 a.m. and the players will return in the afternoon to the Dogie Dome for practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Athletes are required to attend both morning and afternoon sessions in order for it to count as a practice.
All players must bring their own water bottle, as they will not be allowed to drink directly from water fountains in the facility, and they may also consider wearing face coverings before and after practice. 
The NHS Dogie cross country runners will be practicing twice a day as well with the first practice beginning at 8 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 17 to 19, and will return for the afternoon practice at 4 p.m. On Thursday and Friday, morning practice will begin at 6 a.m. All runners will need a bike by the start of the afternoon session on Monday.
Middle school runners will also begin practice on Monday the 17th, however they will only attend practice once a day. The first practice will be at 8 a.m., and subsequent practices throughout the week will be at 4 p.m. Middle school athletes will also need to have a bike by the Tuesday afternoon practice.
On Saturday, the team will head out for their annual run up Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) at 6 a.m. Athletes need to bring a sack lunch and plenty of water for the trip.
Finally, the Lady Dogie swimmers will dive into their season on Monday as well. The team is scheduled to meet outside the Kozisek Aquatic Center at 7 on Monday morning with that session ending at 8 a.m. They will return to the pool for afternoon practice from 4 to 6 p.m. and will follow the same schedule through Friday, Aug. 21. 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, locker rooms will not be available so swimmers must come prepared to be in the water, and also must bring their own water bottles. Daily health checks will be conducted and swimmers will each be provided with an equipment bag in lieu of a locker. 
Letters are being sent out this week with more information regarding parent meetings as well as the seasons.