The pandemic has impacted everyone in different ways, including athletes who depend on practicing to keep up with their sports. It is clear that individual and team sports are impacted differently, however they are both facing challenges. 

Unlike football or basketball, individual sports, like swimming, don’t require close contact between people in order to practice and maintain their skills. Despite the lack of close proximity, Covid-19 still impacts the operation of swimming.

“Due to Covid-19, practices have been shortened to two hours a day. That varies from starting in the morning or after school. We maintain social distancing by limiting the people per lane,” sophomore club swimmer Keira Pham said.

For individual sports like swimming, there have been only a few adjustments made to meet social distancing rules for practices. Golf, another very independent sport, has had a smooth transition as well. 

“Although I couldn’t go to courses at the beginning of the pandemic, I was able to practice swings in my backyard,” freshman golfer Kylie McGrath said. “Still, I wasn’t able to putt or hit any balls.” 

Despite being able to maintain her swing throughout the pandemic, athletes like McGrath who compete in tournament golf have had a difficult time learning new skills.

“At first, my private coach would stand away from me and help critique my swing. Recently, I have been letting my coach move me around if he needs to,” McGrath said. “But it was harder for me to learn in the beginning.”

The pandemic has made it difficult for all athletes. It’s obvious that team sports have been impacted, but so have individual sports. Although the transition may appear easier for some sports than others, that doesn’t mean it takes away from each athlete’s perseverance and hard work.