Wichita hosts Kansas’ first official high school sports competition after 8 months
March 12, the Kansas state basketball tournaments were canceled, and high school athletics didn’t return until Saturday.
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the entire spring sports season and is already calling off fall sports for several school districts. But after eight months, Wichita Collegiate and Kapaun Mt. Carmel hosted a joint girls tennis tournament for six other schools.
Kapaun coach Kathy Schulte said it has been a long road.
“I’m doing in-services at my grade school, and they’re like, ‘You’re not focused,’ and I said, ‘You have no idea,’ ” Schulte said. “I was just so pleased and thankful for this chance to play.”
Kapaun senior Clara Whitaker, who is hoping to have a shot at her fourth singles state championship this season, won the tournament. She beat Salina Sacred Heart senior Lily Perrin 8-2 in the title match.
Whitaker said Saturday was a lot of fun and enjoyed the chance to represent Kapaun again.
“It was fun to put on the uniform and play on campus,” Whitaker said. “(There has been) a lot of worry just because this is my last season.”
For Schulte, Whitaker and all Kapaun coaches and athletes, the past few days have been “a roller coaster,” Schulte said.
Tuesday, the Wichita City League (Greater Wichita Athletic League, GWAL) announced it would continue fall competitions but only against other City League opponents. GWAL Athletic Director J Means said the decision whether to play at all would come Thursday.
When that night came, the USD 259 Board of Education voted 5-2 to effectively cancel all fall sports for Wichita Public Schools. The decision left Kapaun and follow City League private school Bishop Carroll in a bind.
The parochial schools could either honor their City League roots and stand with the Wichita Public Schools or move on with fall activities without the seven other City League members. Friday, after many WPS coaches and athletes gave the Catholic schools their blessing to continue, they decided to proceed with adjusted precautions.
“I was basically in tears earlier in the weeks,” Schulte said. “We’ve all been looking forward to this.”
Kapaun is the defending Kansas Class 5A girls tennis team champion. The Crusaders have 10 seniors on the roster, which is outrageously high for a tennis team, and four in the starting six.
Schulte said the school’s administration fought hard for the low-risk, low-contact sports — girls tennis, girls golf, cross country — to continue.
“I knew Kapaun would come up with something,” Whitaker said. “We have a few tournaments and some duals against Bishop Carroll, so I’m just excited we could do a few things.”
At most tournaments, Schulte said she has a competitive edge, analyzing the competition and finding a way toward a victory. She said Saturday was the most relaxed she has ever been at an event.
“I didn’t see any tantrums or bad emotions or anything like that,” Schulte said. “I think everyone is just so thankful and appreciative to be here.”
Girls tennis and girls golf competitions were allowed to begin Friday. Boys soccer and volleyball starts Aug. 28. And football and cross country start Sept. 4.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 5:01 PM.