HSD has to cancel WIAA fall sports
By Terry Murry on Friday, January 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco schools have notified the Hermiston School District they will not host or travel to Hermiston High School for the upcoming football season, which beings with practices Feb. 1.
The three school districts informed Hermiston High school that they will play due to travel advisories in effect in Washington and Oregon. The decision also impacts other sports for the delayed season including cross country, girls and boys soccer, and volleyball.
“We are saddened by this news and the inability of our students to compete with Washington School,” Athletic Director Larry Usher stated in a prepared release. “We remain hopeful that restrictions may be lifted as COVID numbers continue to drop in our region.”
In the absence of WIAA athletic competitions, Usher is researching other opportunities for its teams within Oregon. The Oregon School Activities Association currently allows participants to compete in slow-pitch softball, girls soccer, and cross country. However, the district reported that the current COVID-19 numbers in Umatilla County means that students are not yet cleared for volleyball and football competitions. If the county is cleared, Usher will look for possible games in those sports as well.
