Athol’s Caleb Cox adjusting to a new sport
The worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued throughout the start of the school year, decisions on whether or not certain high school sports were going to be played trickled into the collective minds of the MIAA. Football, soccer, and volleyball were all postponed until the “Fall 2” season scheduled to begin March with the hope that additional time would create a safer environment for players and coaches. Winter sports in the area were allowed to be played. Wrestling, however, was pushed all the way back into the traditional spring season, tentatively scheduled to begin in late April.
“When I first heard about the news, I was devastated,” Cox began. “Wrestling is something I have done since I was a little kid, and it’s what I love doing.”Cox took the news as an opportunity to pick up a new hobby, finding something else to do to pass the time. A fifth sport was added to his resume, and he decided to give basketball a try this winter. Being an athletic and active kid, picking up another sport didn’t seem like too much of a burden. Cox had no background in organized basketball, however, he had played at the local YMCA when he was younger.
“Caleb really understands the importance of the team concepts,” Bevis continued. “I think with him being the starting quarterback of our football team for a couple of years, that has definitely helped him, as well as him playing baseball. He’s had some team sport settings that he’s been a part of, I think that he’s been able to bring things he’s learned from those sports and collaborate it with basketball. “Although Cox said he’s had a blast out on the court, he admits his main focus remains on the wrestling mat. Throughout the season, Cox has been participating in wrestling workouts to stay in wrestling shape while he awaits the possible start of the season later this spring. Cox said he appreciates Bevis and his teammates for welcoming him with open arms and making this new experience a memorable one. He noted the big change from wrestling, and how much he misses being on the mat, but he is thankful for the opportunity he was given to fill his free time while competing with his friends.
“Basketball has been great for me. It’s definitely different,” Cox said. “But it has helped me stay in shape and kept me active. If I wasn’t doing anything, I would be even sadder than I originally was [when wrestling got postponed]. The guys on the team have made it easy for me to fit right in with them. “Considering Cox has been so accustomed to taking his talents to the mat during the brisk Western Massachusetts winters, stepping out of his comfort zone to compete on the hardwood is no easy task, especially because he hadn’t really played much basketball. The trend of the past 365 days has been much different than normal, and it comes full circle that high school athletes are adapting to these unusual circumstances by seizing the unusual opportunities that have come their way.
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