Portland State Magazine, Spring 2021

18 // PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE ’ THE VIKINGS athletics VS. COVID-19 NASHCO This year tested the mettle of student athletes across the country, including Ruchae Walton, senior guard on the Viking women s basketball team. How three student athletes adjusted to the new (ab)normal WITH CAMPUS shut down by COVID-19 and classes remote, Portland State’s student athletes found themselves left in limbo. Fall sports were postponed.Ten, PSU, along with four other schools, withdrew the football team from competition, citing a lack of preparation. Men’s and women’s basketball were barred by state decree from fve-on-fve prac- tices until the day before Tanksgiving—just weeks before competition began in December. Behind every canceled game and season delayed was a group of athletes denied their time to shine. Tree of them shared their experiences struggling to adapt and fnd a new perspective on school and sports. “It was frustrating seeing some of my friends return to their schools and get to practice while I was stuck at home,” said senior men’s basketball guard Ian Burke. Burke took classes remotely from his parents’ house in Phoenix, Arizona, last spring. As the pandemic shut down collegiate athletic activities across the country, varying state guidelines soon produced a patchwork of restrictions for athletic teams. “In early summer, we still had hopes to play,” said senior safety Anthony Adams, a 2019 All-American and 2020 pre-season All-American and All-Big Sky selection. As the Vikings watched other division football teams begin practicing while they could not “it took a toll emotionally,” Adams said. “Not being able to do what we love was really difcult…and it still is.” He’s coping pretty well with the late decision to completely cancel the football season except for one non-counting game. He’s learned to take things day-by-day. But, he says “it’s nice to potentially have games scheduled for the end of spring practice, because that gives our team hope of competition that we have wanted since last March. Guys are eager to compete and would love to have the ability to see another color jersey across from us.” Ruchae Walton, senior guard on the women’s bas- ketball team, agreed. “Tis season has been difcult for everyone on every level—physically, mentally and emotionally,” she said. Her team had hoped the pandemic would fade as fall progressed. Little did they know, their frst fve-on-fve practice wouldn’t happen until November. Scheduled games were canceled. Non-conference contests were hastily arranged to fll schedule holes. Fans weren’t allowed to attend in person, but virtual tickets and streaming packages were available through the website goviks.com .