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State wrestling tournament in Pueblo requiring COVID tests for competitors

Wrestling State Tournament COVID Test

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- For high school wrestlers across the state, the biggest matches of their lives are scheduled for this weekend at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. However, once again, COVID-19 could get in the way.

On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued updated guidance for the 2021 Colorado State Wrestling Tournament being held in Pueblo. CDPHE is requiring all wrestlers to test negative for COVID-19 before participating in the state tournament.

"Athletes may provide a negative test result conducted up to 72 hours prior to the day of competition or they will be tested upon arrival at the CDPHE testing center the day of the competition," said CDPHE in a press release on Tuesday. "Students who test positive will not be allowed to compete and must isolate."

According to Rick Macias, the athletic Director for Pueblo School District 60, a single positive case could potentially force an entire team to forfeit. Macias says it depends on how much time the positive case spent around the rest of the team.

Macias says health officials will conduct a contact tracing investigation to see if a positive test result could lead to other wrestlers or coaches being forced to quarantine.

According to CDPHE, a recently completed study shows a higher number of outbreaks associated with club or high school sanctioned wrestling events compared to other sports.

CDPHE and CHSAA have not required wrestlers to regularly test for COVID-19 throughout the 2020-21 season. Macias says this is because wrestling events have taken place in the same communities. However, for the state tournament, wrestlers are coming into Pueblo from across the state.

The 2020-21 Colorado State High School Wrestling tournament is scheduled starts on Thursday March 11th and will come to a close on Saturday March 13th.

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Dan Beedie

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