Cross Country has been utilizing an updated “pod system” since their season started on February 1 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Prior to their season being approved to start, the many cross country and track athletes participated in the Moraga Running Club where they practiced in small groups (“pods”) without masks that remained socially distanced from one another.

Upon Contra Costa County entering the purple tier, the NCS mandated for athletes to wear masks at all times, stay 6 feet away from people in their pods, stay 20 feet away from other pods, and the team to stay on campus during practices.

However, according to cross country and track coach Chuck Woolridge “the restrictions were so limiting,” that he didn’t feel it “would be productive for our sport to resume in-person training.”

With the NCS executive committee letting sports build their own calendars under the guidance of the California Department of Public Health, Woolridge decided to use his authority as a coach to postpone practices until the track or cross country seasons were approved and more reasonable restrictions were implemented.

From the hindered oxygen flow that comes with wearing masks to athletes’ inability to leave campus during practices, sophomore Ellie Buckley similarly viewed the regulations to be “counterproductive” to the team’s success.

Since being approved to begin their season as a “purple tier” sport, cross country was permitted to adopt a less restrictive version of this “pod system” and has resumed practices. Under this new system athletes still have to wear masks at all times, stay 6 feet away from people in their pods, stay 20 feet away from other pods, but the team will be permitted to leave campus.

Despite the challenges wearing masks and social distancing poses to athletes, Buckley knows that Woolridge will enforce the regulations adamantly.

“I think cross country follows the guidelines pretty well, because Chuck [Woolridge] wants us to follow the rules and do the right thing,” said Buckley.