UPDATE: Santa Ana College opts in for spring sports; athletes in conditioning classes

Santa Ana College baseball players go through conditioning drills in November. (File photo courtesy Santa Ana College sports information)

Santa Ana College athletic teams are continuing conditioning classes in preparation for the potential start of sports in the spring, according to Cammie Lewis, sports information coordinator.

College officials announced in December that Santa Ana College officials informed the California Community College Athletic Association that the school has opted in to compete during the proposed spring sport seasons, which would be subject to approval by health officials.

The CCCAA’s contingency plan moved all 24 sports to spring of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The traditional fall sports such as football, as well as men’s and women’s basketball, are scheduled to start in the first half with the remaining sports competing in the second half.

Teams competing in the spring 1 season will begin practice on Jan. 18. and spring 2 teams can begin start on March 27, according to a release from the athletic department.

 “We are moving forward with our preparations for the spring 1 and 2 seasons,” said Athletic Director Mary Hegarty in the release. “We will continue to monitor and adapt to conditions in the county and region and do everything we can to proceed in a safe, competitive manner for our student athletes, faculty and staff. We appreciate the leadership of President Flores and Vice President Lamb and thank them for their vote of support for SAC Athletics.”

In November, Hegarty told OC Sports Zone that football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, wrestling and basketball would begin official practice on Jan. 18 with competition set for Feb. 13 for football and Feb. 5 for all other sports.

Baseball, softball, beach volleyball, and track would begin official practice on March 27 and competition on April 10, she added.

Lewis added that an Orange Empire Conference meeting is scheduled in a couple of weeks and more details about the seasons could be available then.

It is not clear how many other programs in the league and Southern California have opted in or decided not to field sports for 2021.

The Santa Ana College program is trying to prepare for athletics as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Orange County and throughout the state. The Orange County Health Agency reported 3,077 new cases and 17 deaths on Wednesday and Southern California remains in the most restrictive purple tier and under a limited stay at home order.

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