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Championship changes announced

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association announced updated winter state championship guidelines Jan. 26. 

According to the news release, WIAA state bowling championships at Narrows Plaza in University Place this weekend will see each classification complete all competition on one day, with 1A/2A competing Friday. Spectators will be allowed but the release states, "If the climate changes and we do not believe we can safely allow spectators, it is possible they will be denied entry." There will be no eating or drinking allowed inside the competition arena for spectators at any time and spectators are expected to wear masks at all times. Athletes can lower their masks when drinking water or actively bowling. 

The cheerleading state championships are Friday and Saturday at Battle Ground High School. The actual competition is unchanged, but the closing ceremonies and parade of teams are canceled and trophies will be presented virtually Saturday night after everyone has left. 

Boys swim and diving is Feb. 17-19 at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, and the only change is the diving preliminaries will be Feb. 17. 

The Mat Classic is Feb. 18-19 at the Tacoma Dome. Changes to the tournament include cheerleaders being restricted to the spectator areas and one-way lanes will be set up for staff. There is no practice session on Feb. 17 and measures will be implemented to limit time inside the Dome. The parade of champions will be limited to finalists. Alternatives to the regional format were considered, but no changes have been made as of Wednesday. The Evergreen Conference sub-regional wrestling tournament is Saturday at the Shelton Mini-Dome. 

State gymnastics is scheduled for Feb. 25-26 at Sammamish High School in Bellevue. Individual finals are usually on day two of the tournament, but that has changed this year and individual champions will be determined based upon a single performance. The 2A/3A competition will be Feb. 25 and the 4A competition will be Feb. 26. 

Dance and drill state is March 25-26 at the Yakima Valley Sundome. In order to minimize congregating between sets, the walkway will not be closed. Spectators will be allowed to sit on the same side as participants in order to spread out the crowd. 

For more information on the changes, go to wiaa.com. 

Author Bio

Matt Baide, Reporter

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Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]

 

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