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Starting Monday, the spring-sport athletes at the 13 high schools in Albuquerque Public Schools will begin to be tested for COVID-19.
Athletes are to be chosen for testing on a rotating, random basis. If they choose not to be tested, they will be prohibited from playing their sport, according to a letter written this week by APS athletic director Kenny Barreras, addressed to spring sports athletes and their families.
Earlier this month, the Public Education Department instructed its schools to begin surveillance testing of students in extra-curricular activities, which includes sports.
For APS, each week there will be testing of 20 student-athletes at each school, or 25 percent of a school’s sports teams, whichever number is higher.
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Eldorado High School going to remote learning for two weeks is going to leave the Eagles boys and girls basketball teams the boys more than the girls precious little time coming out of the shutdown to become state tournament eligible.
Eldorado, in the wake of a small handful of positive COVID-19 cases, has had to suspend all athletics inclucing practices and competitions for the same two weeks, and it won’t be until April 28 that all students can return to campus or games can resume.
The boys basketball team has only played three games, the girls four. Both are going to have to play over 50 percent (minimum six) of their District 2-5A contests in order to be state tournament eligible.
The state’s Public Education Department on Monday put its foot on the proverbial gas pedal.
PED Secretary Ryan Stewart said no longer will high school sports teams across the state need to endure the 14-day waiting period to clear COVID-19 protocols before they begin full practices.
This development could and perhaps will allow districts like Albuquerque Public Schools to enter their fall varsity sports schedules at least a week earlier than previously planned.
“Regardless of (their) re-entry designation, we are now moving into eligibility for (New Mexico Activities Association) participation without the previous two-week waiting period,” Stewart said Monday afternoon.