As we come out of the Memorial Day Weekend, we look forward to the month of June and the return of sports competition locally. The coronavirus pandemic has taken away several things that we have taken for granted like the ability to go to the movies, watching our graduates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas in front of hundreds of friends and family, and the ability to watch and compete in sports activities. In the past weeks, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has announced that certain sports activities will be allowed to return in the month of June as the state and country begin to take steps forward in an attempt to “reopen”.
Just recently, Governor Ricketts announced that while sports such as football, wrestling, soccer, and basketball are still prohibited, limited-contact sports (tennis, golf, volleyball, rodeo) for both youth and adults will be allowed to resume practice on June 1. Competition can resume June 18. The Nebraska High School Rodeo Association Board of Directors met 5/22/20 to discuss the new directed health measures addressed in the Governor’s press conference from May 21st. The association’s website posted the following statement: “Due to the changes in the measures, the board has voted to move forward with the last three practice rodeos; Panhandle, Harrison and Crawford incorporating Covid-19 guidelines.” The panhandle rodeo is scheduled for June 5th, Harrison rodeo for June 6th, and Crawford rodeo for June 7th. The cutting competitions will take place the following week. The final Reined Cow Horse competition will take place June 11th with the finals to be held in Burwell during the state finals. Last week the Adams County Ag Society released a statement saying that the state high school rodeo finals would not be held in Hastings as originally planned because of the COVID-19 situation. The NHSRA posted on their website that Burwell is working diligently to make their facility available and accommodating to host the state finals.
Back on May 11th, Governor Ricketts made the announcement that high schools could open up their weight rooms and weight training programs beginning June 1st and he also announced that youth baseball and softball programs could begin practice in June with competition beginning June 18th. The Broken Bow American Legion Juniors and Seniors baseball teams will plan to begin their seasons on June 19th when they travel to Holdrege. The teams will then plan to play their home opener on June 20th against Alma. Central Nebraska’s Sports Source will plan to broadcast Broken Bow’s home opener on KBBN 95.3 FM.
