By Staff Writer
Johnathan Aspera

Water polo games looked a lot more like it used to this season, with games played against other teams and new, more relaxed COVID-19 rules.

COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on school sports, including stricter rules, social distancing, having to wear a mask, and getting tested before every game or getting fully vaccinated to play in games.

When COVID first hit, most sports were cancelled or very limited. COVID-19 affected water polo to the point where they couldn’t have a single game against another team.

“Last year we only had a few practices and no games, just a couple of scrimmages against ourselves,” said senior water polo player Kama Higa.

Freshman water polo player Tama Alo believes water polo suffered even more when a coach left the team.

“It sucked because we couldn’t play in games for like a whole year and one of the coaches quit and started their own club called Lokahi and a lot of the Midpac[ific] players go there,” Alo said.

This year the water polo team can compete against other teams.

However, there have been some new COVID-19 rules. Last year players had to social distance six feet apart in and out of the water. This school year, players only have to social distance three feet in and out of the water.

Aside from social distancing rules, mask rules have also changed. Last year players had to put their mask on right when they got out of the water. This year once athletes get out of the pool they have time to shower and dry off and then should have their mask on. Players seem to like the new rules.

“This year there wasn’t really any rules for when you’re in the water, like you don’t have to social distance or wear a mask,” said freshman water polo player Rylind Butler.

Although players are happy with the new rules, when the COVID-19 cases spiked the rules became a lot more strict. The players had to get tested before every game or have gotten fully vaccinated or else they wouldn’t be allowed to play in games.

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on sports, especially water polo, but this year it has gotten a lot closer to “back to normal.” Players look forward to a better season next year.

“It’s basically normal water polo except when you’re outside of the water,” said Alo.