Jeffco Stadium is buried in snow on Monday, but it should be ready to go by the time the state track meet kicks off on Thursday. (Dennis Pleuss)
It wouldn’t be spring sports without a massive snowstorm.
The Mother’s Day storm, which so far has dumped anywhere from two to 30 inches on different parts across the state, may affect postseason schedules during the early part of the week. However, temperatures will climb into the 60s and 70s by Wednesday, meaning the effect of the storm may actually be minimal.
With the overwhelming majority of games at home sites this week, the final determination of whether or not to play those games is up to the schools.
CHSAA will make final determination on neutral-site games, such as the Class 5A boys lacrosse semifinals at All-City Stadium. (But, in that specific example, those games are Wednesday and no change is expected.)
Sundays are available to complete games postponed on Saturdays, if need be.
As nothing is scheduled for Monday, the 5A girls soccer quarterfinals on Tuesday may be the only event affected by the storm. Any game postponed — if there are any — would likely be rescheduled to Wednesday. Again, that determination is up to schools involved.
As of Monday morning, Pine Creek and Arapahoe were good to play as scheduled on Tuesday. Columbine and Doherty are working on a contingency should the weather continue. As an artificial surface, and thus more resilient to this type of storm, school officials believe Shea Stadium will be good to host both Ralston Valley/Rock Canyon and Fairview/Mountain Vista.
The following is a plan which has been communicated to schools:
WEATHER CONTINGENCIES
This is a reminder that we will use the first available day to conclude your tournament games this weekend. For example, if your games are postponed on Saturday, then Sunday is the next available day and Monday becomes the next available day after that. If Monday is not available, then Tuesday becomes the next available day.
There may be situations where the facility availability will force the next available day out of the rotation. Please make sure that you communicate this to your players, parents, administrators and fans.
The basic philosophy of this tournament is to push game times back until we can get on the field. That may mean delays of several hours on game times. We will use the lights at those fields that have them, if necessary. Site directors and coaches, it is your responsibility to be in touch with each other on potential problems.
If you must postpone, please try to maintain the same game time schedules once you have rescheduled the games.
The state track and field meet runs Thursday through Saturday at Jeffco Stadium. That should run as scheduled.
Boys swimming’s state meets are Friday and Saturday. Of course, those are indoors.