COVID-19 has recently escalated to a global pandemic in a matter of months.
While scientists race to find solutions for the outbreak, countries have gone on lockdown and have banned large gatherings.
Most sports leagues have also followed suit, including the NBA, NCAA, NFL, and MLS. Texas' own University Interscholastic League (UIL) has announced suspension of all activities until at least May 4th, putting a stop to high school sports throughout the state due to growing COVID-19 concerns.
"It hit hard", senior Jose Ortiz said as he reflected on his final season of soccer being cut short.
Jose Ortiz played soccer all four years of high school at Lamar Consolidated. He is upset for himself and the team, but he especially feels for the seniors in other sports such as baseball and softball that will lose most of their season to COVID-19 concerns.
Ortiz added, "I was blessed enough to finish at least most of my last games but [other seniors] did not get the chance to play their last game and they should go through that moment."
And they will. On March 19th UIL said they still plan to complete all state championships for spring sports. No word has been given on how UIL will execute the remainder of the spring season, however.
Jose Ortiz was at least able to finish his last high school football season for the Lamar Consolidated Mustangs. Ortiz was the kicker for the Mustangs under Head Coach Rick LaFavers, and the Mustangs advanced to the second round of playoffs where they got eliminated by Manvel.