Crean Lutheran High School suspends athletic camps after guidance from health officials

Crean Lutheran players take the field for a game last season. (File photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs)

Crean Lutheran High School officials said Thursday that all athletic camps, including the football camp that started Monday, June 22 have been suspended indefinitely as a result of the latest guidance from the Orange County Department of Health.

First-year coach Rick Curtis was leading the Saints football team.

“As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately we are once again being advised to pause athletic activities,” Athletic Director Eric Olson said in a letter to parents, staff and students on Wednesday.

“On Monday, the Orange County Department of Education recommended athletic activities be suspended by public school districts until information from the California Department of Public Health becomes available. That same day, we were in contact with the Orange County Health Care Agency regarding our current programming and protocols for direct and indirect exposure.

“During that call, they affirmed our decision to suspend our girls soccer program for one week; however, no concerns were expressed related to our overall athletic programming and daily practices. Yesterday, we further reviewed the position of the OCDE and their updates, as well as the practices of our local public and private high schools.”

Olson said that “out of an abundance of caution, and following the guidance of local experts, we will be temporarily suspending athletic practices” beginning Thursday, July 9.

Olson said he did not know how long camps will be suspended.

“At this time, we are unsure how long this suspension will last; however, CIF has stated that they will announce the 2020-2021 Season of Sports Calendar on Monday, July 20. At that time, we will be informed of the CIF-SS plans for the fall sports season. This information will aid us in further planning; however, more information and recommendations may come from other agencies, such as the OCHCA, prior to July 20.”

Olson added that coaches will provide “sport-specific training regimens to their athletes to increase athlete preparedness.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com