Friday, February 19, 2021
Spring semester is underway and NIC Athletics is hard at work developing its student athletes within the nine sports teams, while following the protocols set in place to provide the healthiest and safest environment possible.
More than 150 student athletes perform daily health screenings and practice protocols required by our institution, conference affiliations, and local health authorities. The newest addition is usage of COVID-19 Vault saliva PCR testing kits provided by the state of Idaho and offered through Panhandle Health District to NIC, to further enhance testing opportunities to help contain the spread of the virus.
Our teams are holding practices based on their current status in the NWAC color phase protocol. As each team successfully completes each phase, they are able to move forward allowing additional team activities, practices, scrimmages, and contests.
The NWAC has delayed the starting date of potential competition to April 1, 2021 and NIC continues to look for ways to maximize opportunity while keeping safety as a top priority. The NJCAA, which the wrestling program belongs to, currently allows competition, but many of NIC’s northwest opponents are unable to practice or compete in their respective states nor are they allowed to travel at this time.
A tentative home schedule for the wrestling team started with team scrimmages earlier this month and athletic competition returns to NIC tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 19 when the Cardinals host Southwestern Oregon Community College at 3 p.m. for the wrestling season opener. The NIC wrestlers compete again Saturday at 10 a.m. when the Cardinals host long-time rival Clackamas Community College.
All contests for any of our sports will follow strict game protocol that allows only athletes, coaches, and game personnel in Christianson Gymnasium. Both upcoming wrestling events will be live streamed at youtube.com/nicathletics.
NIC remains excited and committed to assist in the development of its student athletes as they battle in competitions based on available schedules, opponents and conference regulations, while adhering to existing safety protocols.
Please check the NIC Athletics website, www.nicathletics.com, for up-to-date information, especially announcements about additional matches and events, and upcoming schedules for March and beyond.