The Washington State Interscholastic Association made several adjustments Tuesday, July 28, to the upcoming high school sports guidelines it first announced July 21.

Because of the pandemic, 2020-2021 high school sports will be divided into four, instead of the traditional three, seasons. The WIAA said July 28 schools now have the option to skip Season 1 and begin athletics during Season 2, which will start Dec 28 (a week earlier than originally announced).

Season 1 sports (tennis, golf and cross country) can now be offered later in the year, prior to when the state championships will be held in the spring. The state finals for cross country will be in early May. The tennis and golf state tournaments are slated for the end of June.

Coupeville and South Whidbey high schools and their respective conferences, the Northwest 2B/1B League and the Emerald Sound League, opted to move their Season 1 sports to Season 3. Oak Harbor and the Northwest Conference will decide Monday, Aug. 10, on whether to make the same move.

The WIAA also announced several other changes to its July 21 plan.

Football practices, originally set to start Feb. 22, have been moved to Feb. 17.

Girls swim, originally scheduled for Season 1, has been moved to Season 3.

Because of the shortened seasons, teams will be allowed to play 70% of their normal schedule limit. For example, the football season will be shortened from 10 to seven games and basketball from 20 to 14.