Fewer restrictions on fall activities in high school this season?

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – As cases of COVID continue to rise, some are wondering what the delta variant could mean for athletes and fans.

If you are a soccer fan and want to see some high school action this season, you may be able to do so without restriction. Currently, several schools are planning to bring outdoor fall sports back to normal.

From football and golf to soccer and volleyball, fall activities begin.

KSHSAA executive director Bill Faflick said it is up to each school district to decide on its own guidelines.

“Everyone has an opinion on this and our schools have told us that they would prefer this year to have that local control,” said Faflick.

Faflick said the association only has recommendations for wearing masks indoors, but schools are encouraged to follow county health guidelines.

Salina South High School athletic director Ken Stonebraker said the outdoor events will look normal, with no limits. Stonebraker said that inside, masks will be required.

“These sports that we have indoors, which in the fall are mainly volleyball, we will ask our customers to dress up when they come to these games,” Stonebraker said. “We plan to come back as normally as possible. “

Derby Public Schools said:

“At the moment, masks are optional in Derby public schools. There are also no spectator restrictions at the moment, according to KSHSAA. “

Schools in the center of the valley said “Masks are optional, however, encouraged while indoors and social distancing cannot be maintained and the district strongly encourages students and staff who have not been vaccinated to wear masks. We do not anticipate any capacity limits or restrictions for sports other than our classrooms. ”

KSN has contacted Wichita and Hutchinson Public Schools, the two have yet to make a final decision on how they will progress with fall sports.

Faflick said that with the vaccine and more testing options, he felt more comfortable this fall season. “These are good things to have as resources that are more plentiful now and available now that weren’t available a year ago at this time,” said Faflick.