Rochester banning spectators in November

Spectators also banned from all swimming events, McKee wrestling invite

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Rochester athletic director Ryan Johnson announced that no spectators will be allowed at any sporting events in November.

Johnson cited the “increasing number of COVID concerns in our community” in a release to the media.

“This decision was made to ensure that we could allow all of our athletes to compete during the winter athletic season at this time,” Johnson said. “Our top priorities as a district are to provide the safest academic and athletic environment for our students and to allow them to participate in in-person classes and the activities that they love.”

Johnson also said the policy will be revisited with the local health board and officer “as more information is gathered.”

Johnson also said that no spectators will be allowed at any home swimming meets this winter. RHS is scheduled to host five swim meets: Nov. 17 vs. Plymouth (girls only), Dec. 10 vs. Manchester, Jan. 7 vs. Maconaquah, Jan. 12 vs. Tippecanoe Valley and Jan. 14 vs. Eastern (Greentown).

Also, spectators will not be allowed to attend the Rochester John McKee Invitational wrestling tournament on Dec. 19.

Johnson said media members will be allowed to attend and that he hopes fans will take advantage of livestream opportunities to watch RHS teams compete.

“We are working closely with RTC to provide as many livestream opportunities of winter athletic events as possible on Channel 4 and online, allowing for family members and fans to watch our student-athletes compete,” Johnson said.

RHS HOME GIRLS BASKETBALL GAMES IN NOVEMBER

Nov. 7 – vs. Caston, 6 p.m./7:30 p.m. (JV/Varsity)

Nov. 19 – vs. Peru, 6:15 p.m./7:45 p.m.

Nov. 21 – vs. Maconaquah, 6:15 p.m./7:45 p.m.

Nov. 24 – vs. Lewis Cass, 6 p.m./7:30 p.m.

RHS HOME BOYS BASKETBALL GAMES IN NOVEMBER

Nov. 25 – vs. Culver, 6 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 – vs. Tri-Central, 1 p.m./2:30 p.m.

Link to RochesterTV on IHSAA (web home for the events for Rochester HS):

https://www.ihsaatv.org/RochesterTV/

Events will also be on RTC Cable channel 4