Student-athletes were hesitant about whether they would receive a sports season due to COVID-19, however news of winter sports tryouts was announced for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students on the Canvas homepage and school website. These tryouts will take place on Monday, Nov. 16.

Sophomore Bria Hendry (16) plays for the MSD Women’s Varsity soccer team, while also playing club soccer on the Sunrise Sting soccer club. She has been patiently waiting for the start date of another soccer season and is willing to do anything to be back on the field. 

“I am very excited about high school soccer approaching again,” Hendry said. “Douglas soccer has allowed me to create many new friendships, and I look forward to be back working hard with my teammates.” 

Being in quarantine for nearly eight months has made it extremely difficult for athletes to get on a field or on a court to practice, especially for team sports that require the presence of multiple people. Other sports began their conditioning early with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place, like Varsity Football, which began on Monday, Sep. 21. 

With a new set of rules, including mandatory masks at all times when off the field or court, temperature checks and more are being put in place to keep both coaches and athletes as safe as possible. Many athletes are ready to do whatever they can to return to action as soon as possible. 

MSD athletes are allowed to play winter sports now, but due to COVID-19 guidelines, seasons will be shorter than normal. Therefore, athletes are uncertain whether they are allowed to play in regional, state or even national competitions. 

Sophomore Sydney Durham, who just moved to Parkland this summer, is planning to try out for the Lady Eagles soccer team. As the date for tryouts is approaching, she now realizes how little time she has.

“I am feeling a little stressed out considering I have so much work, but I also want to make the school team,” Durham said. “Right now, I am focusing on both and can’t wait for them to happen.”

Students interested in trying out for men’s or women’s soccer teams are advised to attend the tryouts at Pine Trails Park on Monday, Nov. 16. The tryouts will begin promptly at 3:15 p.m., following the end of the school day at 2:40 p.m.

Tryouts for the school basketball team also start on Monday, Nov. 16. Both the men’s and the women’s tryouts will take place in MSD’s school gym at 3:00 p.m. for the girls and 6:00 p.m. for the boys. 

The offering of tryouts for MSD’s competitive cheerleading team will also be taking place very soon. Students can show their skills with tumbling, catching, jumping and more in the school’s gym at 3:00 p.m., also on the 16th.

The last winter sport offering tryouts is the swim team. Students can try out at the Coral Spring Aquatic Center at 3:30 p.m., following the end of the school day, during the week of Nov. 16. 

All winter sports tryouts will take place on Nov. 16. MSD student-athletes have to complete their athletic clearance forms on AthleticClearance.com no later than Friday, Nov. 6th in order to participate in MSD sports this winter. They must also complete a six-page mandatory online course to participate in any school sport.