For high school athletes in Santa Barbara Unified School District, the first steps toward normalcy are on the horizon as sports cleared for competition in the most restrictive purple tier — cross-country, track and field, golf, and tennis — prepare to get underway in the coming weeks.
California youth sports are still operating based upon the updated guidelines that were given in mid-December, despite lobbying by various groups and individuals for Governor Newsom and public health officials to relax guidelines.
Among the first competitions to take place locally is a cross-country dual meet between host Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara on Saturday, February 27. On the following Saturday, Santa Barbara and San Marcos will compete on the Dos Pueblos course.