The QU men’s basketball team is off to a great start during pre-season as the Hawks enter the fifth week of school.

Players from the men’s basketball team have been conditioning, lifting weights, and practicing to be in the best shape for the upcoming season. As of right now, members of the team have not been directed to take part in getting daily temperature checks or covid tests.

Last season the Hawks went 9-15 on the year. Part of those losses came from players getting injured during the season and losing some because of quarantine at North Campus. Before practicing or entering the weight room, players would fill out daily forms stating what their temperature was and if any symptoms were being carried. If a player had symptoms, they would have to quarantine for 14 days.

This year, a majority of the players have been or will soon be vaccinated as the season kicks underway on November 1. Players are not allowed to leave campus or travel with the team unless they are fully vaccinated.

Members of the team are more excited than ever as they have been able to catch a break from waking up at 6 a.m. to get tested.

“Last year was rough because we couldn’t really practice and do drills because so many players would either keep testing positive for COVID-19 or was in contact with someone who tested positive. We had to change our lineup rotations a few time and running plays would be the hardest with new players being in new spots,” Lee Douglas, basketball player, said.

After players tested positive and served their 14 days in quarantine, they still were not able to participate right away due to the school’s protocol. QU’s athletic trainer DJ Elmore, put in place an 10-day protocol where the players who tested positive would have to workout, run, and ride a bike to see if any new symptoms would show.

“I was one of the first members of the team to test positive from COVID-19 last season because one day there was a temperature change. I thought it was just my allergies bothering me but it started affecting me in areas that I never felt pain before like my chest. One of my suite mates then tested positive right after me, and that’s when I knew it was real,” Kyode Walters, basketball player, said.

The men’s basketball team has made a full healthy turnaround for this fall as every member of the team is in good health and can’t wait to compete this upcoming season.