Running in the right direction: Cross-country could resume soon as State returns to purple tier

Given the latest from Gov. Newsom, lifting the stay-at-home order on Monday, we could potentially see a return of high school sports competition.

However, these sports will be limited and operate under strict safety guidelines per the California Department of Public Health.

Right now, the only sport that would be allowed to compete is cross-country. According to CIF and the CDPH, cross-country is the only sport that checks all of the boxes required for a return to play.

The reason the other sports - golf, swimming, tennis and track and field - are not in consideration for competition is because they "fall" under the Spring sports category.

According to Desert Sands Unified, "under small group cohort guidelines, all sports are allowed to condition. Competitions must be limited to those sports allowed in the purple tier and identified in the CIF Fall Season. CIF Spring Season is currently scheduled to run March - June." 

"Our athletic departments are discussing methods to follow these guidelines regarding both cross country and conditioning for other sports."

KESQ Sports Director Blake Arthur reached out to multiple of athletic directors in the valley from various districts, all of whom remained optimistic about the return of sports competition but are waiting for approval from their respective district office before proceeding.

Now, it should be noted that every public school operates under a respective district (CVUSD, DSUSD, PSUSD), which operates under the county (Riverside in this case), which operates under the state of California.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the latest on this developing story and all high school sports in the valley.