By Chardonnae Parker / Managing Editor

The Heart of America Athletic conference ends the spring sporting season for all spring sports.  For a few winter sports the very thing that teams work so hard day in and out for has also been cancelled.  The NAIA like the NCAA and NJCAA and many other college and professional sports associations has cancelled all events.  

These cancellations include the NAIA Wrestling Championship, both Women’s and Men’s basketball tournament as the NAIA take precautions in concern for the Covid-19 virus. 

The Missouri Valley College communications department sent an email to all students “Missouri Valley College has suspended all athletic-related practice, travel, and competition for all sports until March 30, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and keep everyone updated on if/when athletic practices and competition will resume” 

“As of Saturday, March 14, The Heart of America Conference will suspend all athletic-related practice, travel, and competition until March 30, 2020 for all member institutions.” Missouri Valley College communications department stated in an email to the students “The KCAC has also suspended all athletic-related practice, travel, and competition indefinitely for its member institutions.”

A few student athletes for some sports missed out on a few different things with the cancellations of sports. Some athletes struggle with dealing with the facts that they will miss events such as 

• Championship competition 
• Playoff hopes for some teams
• Senior nights 
• Playoff pushes
• And for some their final seasons of competition

A few student athletes stayed on the Missouri Valley campus during the original spring break for competition or practice.  After hearing the competition for the spring season has been cancelled. Those student athletes then began to plan and decided if they would stay on campus or leave. 

“I am full and mixed with several different emotions right now.  My national championship was canceled. I feel like I was robbed of an opportunity that I have worked so hard to make happen.” Missouri Valley College Wrestler Brie Grimes said “Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, and Missouri Valley.  Live every moment like it is your last.”

One student athlete began her first collegiate track season when she was told the news that due to the virus that season will not be able to take place. “The whole season is basically done. At first the news was sad and alarming. But after understanding that what is going on needs to be controlled and you do that through social distances it is easier to process” Shakrya Mcduffie said. 

Other students who missed out on championship competition went to social media to better understand and express their feelings towards the season ending.  “Although it sucks that nationals were cancelled do not forget we can say we made it to nationals for the third year in a row, and became four time regional champs”  cheer team member Shay Wilsion said “WIth all the ups and downs, cryers, and even my broken finger, I would do it all again”