High School and College Athletes React To Meet Cancellations

Mar 13, 2020

Long Beach State's (CA) Jason Smith after NCAA's was canceled.

A vast number of meets - including New Balance Nationals Indoor - have been canceled. This is due to organizations and leagues putting in place measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Many athletes and coaches across the country are reacting to the news in different ways. See how some of the nation's top athletes are reacting to the cancellations below.

Updated Cancellations And Postponements For Track Season

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Reaction To NBNI Being Canceled:

So beyond devastating. Treat every race like it is your last
-- Sarah Naticchia (@sarahnaticchia) March 12, 2020

Let the athletes compete and limit the fans to coaches and parents just like the NCAA is doing with March Madness. All the athletes that qualified deserve the chance to compete and earn backpacks.
-- Alex Brown (@Alex26Brown) March 12, 2020

I wondered how long they were going to hold out? Especially as the NYC St Patrick's Day parade was cancelled, New Rochelle containment & National Guard was ordered into New Rochelle. It seemed irresponsible that they wouldn't cancel. Devastating for those that worked so hard tho
-- J Madrid (@SARC8427) March 12, 2020

Many asked what about the backpacks? (Don't worry, you will still be able to get them.)

Will you mail out the backpacks?
-- Jennifer Joy (@Jennife32053946) March 12, 2020

Will kids be able to revive backpacks
-- Sierrah Matthews (@MatthewsSierrah) March 12, 2020

After it was originally announced that the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships would be run without spectators, it was completely canceled along with all other NCAA winter and spring championships.

NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E
-- NCAA (@NCAA) March 12, 2020

More athletes and coaches reacted to the news of NCAA's being canceled.

On the ground in Albuquerque, there was a mixture of disbelief and inevitability about the 2020 NCAA track season being canceled due to the coronavirus https://t.co/AL2rOEv2LG
-- FloTrack (@FloTrack) March 13, 2020

These women helped build something special at BYU and I'm hopeful they will stay loyal to their dreams. #BYUrun4her also, I'm still shook. Stay healthy everyone. https://t.co/eEUIFjIIxy
-- Diljeet Dosanjh Taylor (@ddosanjhtaylor) March 12, 2020

Statement from head coach Pat Henry

| https://t.co/kmQVSgNRcS pic.twitter.com/4T53FLSyuP
-- Texas A&M Track and Field (@aggietrk) March 13, 2020

the fact that people literally work their whole lives for moments and opportunities that were snatched away in 1 second. Collegiate senior seasons ending on the terms of uncontrollable circumstances. lives are being changed rn.
-- Charles Brockman III (@TheOnlyCharlesB) March 12, 2020

As sad as I am about my season coming to an end, it's still an amazing feeling to be a Longhorn HOOK'EM!!! pic.twitter.com/YLj5q3MofN
-- Tripp pip (@Tripp_Piperi) March 13, 2020

Reactions to other meets being canceled...

I know how it feels. I have been working extremely hard for this track season. Knowing it could be cancelled hurts because of how much effort I've put into it.
-- Trey Heinz (@trey_heinz) March 13, 2020

Lastly...if you've been impacted we'd like to hear from you.

If your HS outdoor seasons are being impacted by cancellations (which tbh, everybody), I'd like to hear from you.

We'd like to bring back #DearRunning to offer a way to express what this sport means to you.

DM or email me if interested: cory.mull@flosports.tv
-- Cory Mull (@ByCoryMull) March 13, 2020