For three weeks, Chatham Charter was the only high school in the county holding summer workouts.
That’s not the case anymore.
On Monday, the county’s four other high schools — Northwood, Jordan-Matthews, Chatham Central and Woods Charter — resumed summer workouts under the NCHSAA’s Phase One guidelines, which don’t allow contact between athletes, among other regulations.
Northwood, Jordan-Matthews and Chatham Central began workouts for fall sports only. Woods Charter’s workouts were open for all sports but participation leaned mostly toward fall sports.
Josh Harris, the Jets’ athletic director, tweeted pictures of pre-practice temperature checks and socially distanced workouts on Monday with the caption: “We’re back … kinda.”
At Jordan-Matthews, the football team has resumed workouts, with cheer, volleyball and cross country set to return later in the month. Boys soccer and girls tennis are not yet scheduled for workouts.
At Northwood, the football, cross country and volleyball teams had “tremendous workouts” Monday, co-athletic director Jason Amy said in a tweet.
“So proud of the Northwood High School Athletic coaching staff, parents and especially our student athletes!” Amy wrote. “We planned, communicated and had high expectations to make this work to give everyone hope — we’re on our way back.”
The Chatham County Senior Games were canceled this spring, but the SilverArts competition continued online. Now, the games have added a final send-off.
Participants can reserve a spot for a drive-by ceremony on either July 22 or July 30, where they can collect medals (if they won a SilverArts event) and a commemorative T-shirt.
The July 22 event will start at 10 a.m. in the Western Chatham Senior Center parking lot in Siler City. The July 30 event will start at 10 a.m. in the Eastern Chatham Senior Center parking lot in Pittsboro.
Parking is limited, and coordinator Liz Lahti asked those interested to reserve a spot at either location by July 17. Lahti can be reached at liz.lahti@chathamcoa.org or (919) 542-4512 Ext. 228.
Jordan-Matthews, like many a high school in the area, had to move its end-of-year sports banquet online. But it still found a way to physically give out some of the awards announced June 17.
From 10 a.m. to noon on July 2, athletes stopped by the high school’s cafeteria entrance to pick up awards ranging from team MVP to most improved. Conference awards and all-conference awards were available, too.
Harris, the athletic director, said athletes can “stay tuned” for another date to pick up their hardware if they couldn’t last week.