Her words, while expected and understandable, gutted athletes, their families, coaches and sports fans in general from border to border.

The spring sports season — track and field, soccer, golf and tennis — is over before it really even got the chance to start.

Reynolds’ announcement that Iowa’s schools would remained closed for the remainder of the school year in an effort to fight the coronavirus signaled that all spring sports would be canceled. Department of Education Director Dr. Ann Lebo bluntly announced the cancellation of athletics a few minutes later, and both governing bodies — the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union — reiterated the decision in a press release later on Friday.

“I reached out to the kids right away and it was just tough to even talk to them about it,” WCHS boys’ track and field coach Chad Hisler said. “I know there are bigger things going on out there, but it’s hard to wrap my mind around it. We were set to have a really fun season and this senior group, they’re just fun to be around and do things with. They’ve bought in as much as any kids I’ve ever coached.”

Drake Doering watches his drive sail off the tee during a 2018 Class 3A sectional meet in Ames. Doering, the lone senior on the 2020 Webster City boys’ golf team, had his final season canceled on Friday. DFJ file photo/Troy Banning

WCHS boys’ soccer coach Craig Signorin was still trying to come up with the appropriate soothing words for his athletes as Friday afternoon stretched on. The reality is there was nothing he could say to ease the disappointment.

“I thought this year was going to be a turning point for us where we were on the build up again,” he said. “I was excited to watch these guys get together and play, and it’s sad we’re not going to be able to get to do that.”

Preseason practices and the indoor track season got under way in March. The WCHS track teams had the chance to put the uniforms on and compete in the Humboldt Indoor, but just days later schools were shuttered and the spring season was suspended due to the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak.

Schools were originally closed through April 13, and that date was pushed back to April 30. Spring sports were scheduled to resume on May 1 and push into June prior to Friday’s announcement.

During the 2018-19 school year, the four spring sports accounted for more than 45,000 participants in the state. Track and field was the second-most popular sport by participation for both boys (12,012) and girls (9,908).

The cancellation ends a more than 100-year consecutive streak of boys’ state track and field meets. And for the state’s seniors, it’s a bitter end.

“Our seniors, they’ve worked so hard for three seasons and were such great role models,” WCHS girls’ track and field coach Clint Howard said. “I wish they would have gotten a chance to compete and lead as seniors like they were supposed to. It’s unprecedented and I understand why, but it’s hard for high school aged kids to process.”

Lynx boys’ golf coach Eric Dawson immediately looked for any silver lining. While it was tough, particularly for his lone senior Drake Doering, Dawson says there’s still plenty of golf to be played.

“If we try to stay positive, there are a lot of chances to compete even though it’s not the high school season,” he said. “I feel really bad for Drake, but there are still situations were they can play all summer in tournaments. I think about the track kids more than the golf kids because that’s realistically the only chance they’ll get to compete in that sport.”

The summer baseball and softball seasons are also in jeopardy because of the current climate. Originally slated to begin in early May, Dr. Lebo said on Friday that a decision on the two sports will be made by June 1. At best, baseball and softball will face shortened seasons that won’t begin until early June.