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This spring much more than just a fling for local athletes

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Mar 29, 2021

First there was hope.

Then there was fall. Then winter.

And now….there is spring.

Fingers crossed, of course.

Those are the thoughts of high school athletes and coaches in the area – and all over the state. Two of the high school seasons are done, and today is the official first day to try out/practice for a spring sport.

This may be the most special day of them all, topped only by two weeks from now when the actual competition begins.

Why? Because unlike the starts of the other two seasons, this day never existed a year ago.

Yes, that made the fall special because it was the return to high school sports after near six month (part of it being summer) absence.

But there was no spring last year. None. The only time you saw any athletes or coaches was at a 2020 scoreboard lighting ceremony to honor the senior class at Nashua North and South in the city at Stellos Stadium and Holman Stadium, some mingling in the parking lots while attempting to stay socially distant.

It was a well done event and nice to see activity at both spots. Holman finally got use in the summer with the Silver Knights and the Nashua team in the Legion-type Covid League that won’t likely be around this summer with Legion ball set to return.

And, of course, Stellos opened up in mid September with preseason practices as high school sports returned.

And, after a winter that tested everyone’s indoor fears but was superbly managed – as was the fall – by local athletic directors, we have spring.

Hey, it hasn’t been easy. As Nashua athletic director Lisa Gingras, who has probably talked with city health officials more times in seven months than certainly in the last seven years. And they never before, until this past year, had to go before school boards to get the approval just to have a sports season.

A job well done by Gingras and all the other ADs, who are breathing a sigh of relief that save for boys volleyball, we’re back outdoors.

But this is the new normal for awhile.

The coaches have been able to have some of those approved off-season workouts, which certainly has helped them get that feeling of hope and enthusiasm back.

Today is very special for track athletes and coaches. They’ve been practicing during the winter, but save for a couple of mini-meets for a couple schools at places like the Hampshire Dome in Milford, they didn’t have a winter season. They will have competition this spring.

And remember, unlike the other two seasons, many of the spring coaches are returning to programs that they have less than an idea about how strong they can be, because last year’s juniors were away from the games and some may not be returning. But many may come back with a vengeance, but certainly a lot of rust.

“We have a lot of ground to cover,” Nashua South girls lacrosse coach Ciki McIntire said, “since most of our team doesn’t play year-round so we will be making up for lost time as best we can.”

“No season last year was a letdown,” Alvirne boys tennis coach Mike Coulter said, “but looking forward to getting going this year.”

The bottom line?

Student athletes who only play a spring sport, this is your day, this is your time, this is your season. And those who have played in the fall or winter, this is your season, too.

Welcome back, spring sports. You were greatly missed.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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