CHAPEL HILL — Woods Charter cross country has suspended all practices and competitions after coronavirus complications within its team, the school’s athletic director said Thursday.
In a text to the News + Record, Woods Charter AD Dena Floyd confirmed the Wolves haven’t competed this week because of COVID-19 precautions, but she declined to give further information, citing privacy reasons. Woods Charter was scheduled to open its season at a meet Wednesday at Chatham Charter.
Gary Oakley, Chatham Charter’s head cross country coach, said in email earlier this week that Woods Charter cited one positive coronavirus case within the team as its reason for cancellation.
According to the state Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 website, Woods Charter hasn’t reported a cluster of cases as Tuesday afternoon. For school settings, the DHHS defines a cluster as a minimum of five positive coronavirus cases confirmed by test results.
Chatham Charter was scheduled to host a three-team conference meet including Woods Charter on Wednesday afternoon. They ended up running one-on-one against Research Triangle High School.
Northwood was scheduled to host another three-team meet featuring Woods Charter next Monday afternoon, Nov. 23, but the Wolves won’t participate in that meet either.
According to its most recent schedule posted online, Woods Charter won’t open its season until Wednesday, Dec. 2, when it visits Chatham Charter for a dual meet. The Wolves’ volleyball team hasn’t been affected by the suspension and played its season opener on the road Tuesday night.
NCHSAA cross country and volleyball teams across the state started regular-season competition Monday under the NCHSAA’s modified 2020-21 athletics calendar.
Reporter Chapel Fowler can be reached at cfowler@chathamnr.com or on Twitter at @chapelfowler.