Saturday will be a sad day for The Day's sports staff, one which will result in reflection.

It was supposed to be the official start of the CIAC's spring high school sports season — a day we look forward to as much as the student-athletes and coaches. But like most things across the nation, the season is on hold as we all continue do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The CIAC will monitor the situation over coming weeks before making a final decision on whether some of the season can be salvaged, but The Day has made a pledge to keep the schools and athletes we cover on a daily basis relevant in our sports section and on our website (theday.com).

Starting Saturday, and running each day until the games begin, we will profile a high school senior from each of the schools in our coverage area. You will get to know more about them as athletes, but also their interests outside of athletics and what their plans are beyond high school. Remember, this is the final go-around for the Class of 2020.

If the CIAC is forced to cancel the season, our plan is to continue celebrating these student-athletes until June 17, the day of the final state tournament event of the spring — the State Open boys' decathlon and steeplechase at Manchester High School.

The Day had also planned to introduce three new schools who have been added to our daily coverage area this spring — Bacon Academy of Colchester, Griswold and Lyman Memorial of Lebanon. The Day will now cover each high school in New London County, and you will get to know student-athletes from these schools as well.

We hope you enjoy.

— Chuck Banning, Sports Editor