With Move to WIAA, Changes Coming for Hermiston Student Athletes

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With the Hermiston School District’s transition to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), the district must change some athletic practices, beginning this fall.

WIAA has minimum practice requirements for all athletes. No athlete can compete in contests until he/she has participated in the minimum number of practices required. All fall high school sports will begin practices on Aug. 20, with the exception of football, which begins on Aug. 15.  All middle school athletics will have meetings and hand out equipment on the first day of school.

It is important that prior to tryouts all athletes have the required paperwork turned in to the athletic office, or their respective middle school office. Paperwork includes a completed physical form, code of conduct, insurance, and medical release forms.

Sports physicals are scheduled for Aug. 1, from 2-6 p.m., and will be offered in the Hermiston High School gold gym, by Columbia River Health Services of Boardman. All athletes need to bring their insurance information. The sports physicals will be provided at no cost. Sports physicals are valid for two years, meaning any athlete who has not had one in the last two years or will expire before their sports season begins, is encouraged to attend. Sports physicals are available for all area athletes, not just Hermiston.

As a tool to assist in properly releasing athletes following a concussion, baseline ImPACT testing will be provided for all Hermiston athletes. This fall, all athletes who plan to participate in athletics, grades 7-12, must have a baseline ImPACT test before participating. Tests will be conducted on Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Hermiston High School main commons.