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It just brings joy.
For Illinois athletes, due to Covid-19, that joy ended in March of
2020.
For the Lincoln Railer Boys Basketball Team in particular, that joy
ended following a sectional semifinal win at Roy S. Anderson
Gymnasium on March 11, 2020. The Railers would not return to the
basketball court until February 2, 2021 at Taylorville.
Even though there were no parents in the stands and very few
administrators and members of the media that night in Taylorville,
there were student athletes participating on the court and that
brought a new level of appreciation and excitement back to sports.
“The kids are excited to be back on the court,” said Lincoln Railers
Basketball Coach and LCHS Athletic Director Neil Alexander. “They
have something to come to school for and work for. They are back
with their friends doing the things they like to do, regardless of
what sport it is they all have the opportunity to start working
again and at least play some games.”
Emily Paulus, a senior on the Lady Railers Basketball Team, is
grateful for the opportunity to play sports again, not just for the
competition, but for the camaraderie.
“All of us on the team live a super-busy life,” said Paulus.
“Without having sports for almost 12 months, that had never happened
in our lives, so coming back, it was a great feeling to be back.
Being with our team is like being with our family. It is our home
away from home during the season. It was definitely nice to be back
on the court. It was nice to have something to look forward to after
school. At the beginning of the school year we would just sit at our
desks for five hours and then go home, sad about not being able to
practice while seeing all these other kids play.”
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It really had to be tough seeing the surrounding
states allow student athletes to compete, while Illinois was still
under strict regulations. Without a doubt made everyone grateful for
the opportunity when the IHSA finally allowed competition with
strict guidelines for each sport.
“Finally we were able to have practice and we were definitely
grateful to be back,” said Paulus, noting that basketball is a
six-week season. “Sports is something to look forward to during the
day and something to work hard for in school.”
That excitement has a trickle effect.
“Everybody is a lot happier,” smiled Paulus, through her Lincoln
Railer red and green mask. “The teachers are so happy to see that we
are playing. They love seeing the athletes come to school wearing
the green jumpsuits. The teachers have commented that they wish they
could see us play in person, but they are happy to watch us online.
The atmosphere in school is definitely a lot happier and more
cheerful.”
The excitement just does not end at school. With the return of
sports, there is just a vibe around the community that people are
happy again, even if it is seeing the student athletes compete via
the internet. Parents and grandparents know the athletes are working
hard to be successful.
So whether you are an adult or a student, sports really do bring joy
to everyone.
[Teena Lowery] |
