Bulldog softball season abruptly halted

HAMPTON – Shortly before the Bulldog softball team was to take on Class 1A No. 9 AGWSR, a positive COVID-19 test was received, effectively shutting down the remainder of the 2020 season for coach Kelsey Enslin’s team.

“Obviously, it took us all by surprise and it was a very abrupt end to a season that almost wasn’t,” Enslin said. “It is a really off feeling to have the season end and have it not come at the conclusion of a game. It was especially challenging because I didn’t have the opportunity to address any of the girls about the situation or about softball.

“Throughout the season, we always knew this was a possibility as we had discussed several times that the season could be over in an instant, but never really thought that it would happen or that it would happen this far into the season. However, looking at the situation now I am glad that a player did not have to carry the weight of ending the season although exposure can happen at any point because living is always a risk.”

Hampton-Dumont activities coordinator Christi Weiser confirmed this after making the announcement to the crowd that had already arrived for the Wednesday, July 8 game at Hampton.

“This will be the end of our year, unfortunately,” Weiser said after the announcement was made. “We don’t have enough time to get our quarantining done before the post-season game would be Wednesday (July 15).”

This came a night after the Bulldogs’ non-conference game at Gilbert was canceled due to the fact the team was awaiting a test result that eventually returned negative.

“Completely separate, completely unique to the situations we’ve dealt with over the past week, or past two weeks, honestly,” Weiser said. “Completely unrelated to anyone else. No false negatives, no anything. It’s the way things are playing out these days.”

When asked about the baseball team’s status, Weiser said that coach Matt Lokenvitz’s team shouldn’t be affected. The Bulldog baseball team traveled to Forest City that night, but according to Zarren Egesdal, KIOW radio sports director in Forest City posted on social media that a senior player didn’t make the trip.

“I don’t believe anything will affect the baseball program just based on the conversations that I’ve had leading up to this,” Weiser said. “I don’t believe our baseball program will be impacted at all.”

Due to privacy issues, Weiser said she couldn’t say whether the positive test came from a player or coach.

“(I’m) disappointed for our kids, disappointed for our coaches,” Weiser said. “There were a lot of people who did a lot of things to make this season possible and we had a great three-and-a-half-week season. Specifically, this senior class. There is something special about them. So, to give them the opportunity to have the moments they had this season with their teammates and to put that uniform on that says ‘Bulldogs’ I know each and every one of them takes a lot of pride in wearing the Bulldog uniform.

“I appreciate the community giving that support to provide that opportunity because it means the world to them and it means the world to the rest of our school district. They came out in droves, supported us, they followed every rule, we gave every expectation and everybody did what we asked them to do and this is one of the unfortunate by-products of living in the time we are living in right now.”

Enslin added, “To my seniors, I cannot thank them enough for their dedication and leadership in our program through my first four years as the head coach. Watching them grow from eighth grade until now has been an amazing experience. I know they have big plans ahead of them and they will reach their goals. They’re a very special group of young people who have had their fair share of challenges placed in front of them, but without a doubt, those challenges have shaped them for the better.

“Go do your thing and make a positive difference in this world! They always have a home with Bulldog softball.”

The Bulldogs finish the season at 3-7, having just 10 games of a 13-game regular-season schedule completed. They were scheduled to play in Class 3A Region 5 Roland-Story at Roland’s Henessy Diamonds today (July 15), but the Norse will automatically advance to play the winner of Williamsburg and South Tama at Williamsburg on Friday, July 17.

Weiser said that she didn’t think the Bulldogs would be the last to see their season come to a quick end.

“God, I would love for us to be the last team in the state to have to deal with this because the disappointment in those girls’ eyes, that was brutal,” Weiser said.

Enslin was thankful for all of the support as well.

“Thanks to all the Bulldog softball players, parents, school board, admin and community supporters who helped us have a season this year! We could not have done it without every single one of you! You helped us give everyone hope during a not-so-positive time. As always, go Bulldogs!”