Safety guidelines for holding cross country meets released by state and CIF officials

With Monday’s announcement that stay at home orders have been lifted for Southern California, high school cross country events may be held in Orange County this week, pending approval by local school districts and private schools.

Crean Lutheran and Mater Dei are among the teams planning to open their seasons on Saturday, Feb. 6.

In addition, Beckman will host Foothill in a girls and boys cross country meet on Saturday, according to Steve Fischel, boys athletic director at Beckman. No fans will be allowed for the event, he said.

CIF Southern Section officials released guidelines from the CIF State Office by the California Department of Health for cross country last week. Athletes are not required to wear masks while they are running.

Although Southern California remains in the most restrictive purple tier due to the coronavirus pandemic, cross country is allowed to begin.

All other sports are also grouped in specific tiers and counties must be in those tiers for sports to start.

Among the guidelines for cross country:

—–Cross country meets should consider using staggered, wave or interval starts.

—–Masks shall be worn at all times by all individuals in attendance other than when engaged in competition.

—–Social distancing measures shall be in place at all times other than when engaged in competition.

—-Consider widening the course to at least six feet at its narrowest point.

—- The finish line area should be enlarged to provide for social distancing guidelines.

—-Do not shake hands before or after the races/events.

—-Team members shall not share water bottles.

—-Hydration stations may be utilized but shall be touched only by a single appointed monitor.

CIF officials announced last week that post-season competition for cross country and other sports in the first season was cancelled but they hoped that teams would be able to hold regular season meets.

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