The IHSA last week announced approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health to move into Phase 4 of the return to play guidelines for Illinois schools, coaches and athletes.

Dave Remmert is the Cross Country coach at Monticello High School. Many may also know Remmert as the Director of the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department. He says the fact the CDC is saying youth are not only at low risk of the coronavirus but are also not deemed 'super-spreaders' leaves him optimistic a fall sports season should take place.

Case numbers locally and across the country have spiked but Remmert is not very concerned about the latest trends. He says young, healthy people are the ones mostly getting the virus right now and their quick recoveries are a good sign and will help establish herd immunity.

Last year, Remmert's boys cross country squad won the Class 1A state title for the second time under his leadership. Luke Sokolowski finished 11th and Josh Baysore finished 28th. Monticello boys finished third in 2013 in Remmert's first year with their first state title coming in 2014 and the boys' team has never finished lower than 6th. 

Additionally, last year the girls finished second in the state. Mabry Bruhn finished 10th and Rachel Koon finished 12ths. The girls finished 3rd in 2017 under Remmert.