Spring in February?

Winter’s not over yet, but spring sports are already starting

Olivia Glover, Staff Writer

Mar 6, 2025

Lane 1 of the DHS Track is seen stretching into the distance on February 12, 2025, before the snow fell later that week. DHS spring sports like Track and Field are scheduled to start on February 24, 2025.

Before the snow has truly finished falling, DHS athletes take to the fields, courts, and track for the beginning of the Spring sports season. On Monday, February 24, Spring sports across the state officially start, including tennis, golf, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field, among others. Spring is often associated with sunny days and warm temperature, but across Colorado, March is often the snowiest month. Still, athletes brave the conditions every day in order to practice and play. But many students still wonder, why so early?

While it may seem odd that Spring sports start so early, its origins trace back to Title IX, a federal law that, according to the Department of Justice, ensures that there will be no discrimination based of sex in any educational setting that receives federal funding. While this applies to many opportunities, it is most often referenced in the frame of sports. Schools must have an equal number of girls and boys sports, and according to the district Athletics and Activities Director, Ryan Knorr, they must also have the same number of games and practices.

The bleachers at the DHS stadium are pictured on February 12, 2025. When spring sports like lacrosse, soccer, track and field start on February 24, 2025, the stadium will host supporters to cheer on Demon sports teams.

The Colorado High School Athletics Association (CHSAA) sets the season dates, how many games a team plays, and more. Knorr said that he’s always been surprised by the early start, but all the sports must be wrapped up by graduation at the end of May. Knorr stated that, “the idea is that you need to match the same amount of opportunity that the fall had in terms of the same amount of contests, same amount of weeks that they get to practice and play.”

In order for the athletes to practice, play, and compete, the myriad of athletics facilities, such as the track, turf, and tennis courts, must be cleared of the snow, sometimes feet of it, before the season begins. This task is monumental, and it takes lots of collaboration. The facilities department coordinates this task, taking care to use the correct equipment in order to prevent damage.

Lanes 1-8 are seen at the DHS track on February 12, 2025, clear of snow which fell later that week. The track is often covered in many inches of snow which must be cleared with a plow before athletes can practice. DHS sports such as track and field are starting February 24, 2025.

According to Knorr, each area needs specific equipment for the momentous task of snow removal. The tennis courts must be cleared with a snowblower. However, an inch of snow is left that has to be shoveled later. The turf must be plowed by a tractor with special tires so as not to damage the padding, and the track also must be plowed.

The Girl Lacrosse Team stands in the falling snow on March 24, 2023 during a game against Eagle Valley. The Demons won the game 10-9. This year, the absence of snow has helped spring athletes prepare for their seasons, which started on February 24, 2025. Courtesy of DHS Yearbook/Michelle Palacios.

But despite this, the facilities for the numerous athletes will be ready for Monday, when practices officially begin. “The last two years, it’s been a huge task,” said Knorr, referring to the snow removal. In the winter of 2022-2023, according to the Colorado SNOTEL website, there was 28.6 inches of snow-water equivalent, and the winter of 2023-2024 saw 19.7 inches of snow-water equivalent. As of February 21, 2025, the 2024-2025 winter snowpack was at 11.5 inches of snow-water equivalent.

While not so great for the snowpack and the chances of summer wildfires, it’s made preseason practices and prep for the season much easier. Many sports have been outside, getting fit for the season. Lacrosse and soccer have been on the field, track has been running in all the lanes, as well as baseball, who usually, “don’t touch the field till sometimes, like March, because you can’t remove it on the grass like you would on the turf,” said Knorr.

The Durango Demons sign near the scoreboard is seen through the net of the soccer goal on February 12, 2025. Sports like lacrosse, soccer, track and field are scheduled to start on February 24, 2025. (Olivia Glover)

But the lack of snow might be changing. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their 8-14 day forecast, the precipitation levels for southwest Colorado are expected to be slightly above average, as of February 25, 2025. While good for the snowpack, it means more hurdles for Knorr, athletes, and coaches.

In addition to having to clear the field in short periods of time, snow days greatly impact athlete’s ability to play and compete. On a snow day, no practices can be held, and DHS, “can’t have any competitions, or buses, or transportation, we can’t travel on some of the days,” according to Knorr. For the DHS athletics department, this means contacting game officials, teams, and coaches days before, coming up with a back up plan in case school is cancelled.

Despite these hurdles, the many behind this large operation work tirelessly to make sure DHS athletes can play and practice to be their best.