High school sports in Oklahoma can resume as normal beginning immediately.

That’s the policy back in place after a special meeting of the OSSAA board of directors Friday in which they voted 7-6 to reject a reopening plan that was previously presented by the OSSAA staff for member schools to follow.

The plan was in regards to COVID-19 policies that each school should follow in team workouts, practices, team camps and any other activities involving students.

The vote means districts can “conduct summertime activities in accordance with current Rules and Policies as stated in the Administrators Handbook,” according to the OSSAA website.

“At this point in time, it gives us control over our own districts,” said Kingfisher Superintendent Jason Sternberger, who is also an OSSAA board member.

Sternberger was one of the votes against the policy.

The vote was split mostly with smaller school districts against the policy and larger districts in favor.

The Zoom meeting was being watched by about 500 onlookers along with the board of directors.

“We all had our own opportunity to say our piece,” Sternberger said.

The argument against the plan boiled down to leaders at smaller districts feeling the restrictions in the phased plan were too tight and too long.

“The feeling is you don’t necessarily treat Thomas the same way you do an Edmond Santa Fe or a Union,” Sternberger said.

Although there are “no restrictions” in place, Sternberger assures restrictions will be in place.

“We’re going to meet with coaches and we’re going to put in protocols. We’ll do a lot of the things they had in that plan. We’re not going to just act like COVID isn’t here,” Sternberger said.

“We’ll have a in-service with coaches or anyone working with kids on a daily basis. There’s lots of planning to do and we’ll do everything possible to protect kids as we move through this and we’ll monitor them on a daily basis.”

KHS head football coach Jeff Myers also helps oversee the school’s “Summer Pride” weight training and conditioning program.

“This is great news for us as coaches and the athletes,” Myers said. “I can only speak for our football guys, but I have talked to a lot of coaches from all around and the consensus is the kids are ready to go. They’ve been stagnant - for the most part - for a couple months now.”

Myers said he and the Summer Pride staff will take several precautions during all activities.

The amount of restrictions, however, could still change.

The OSSAA is expected to again address a “re-opening plan” at its next regular meeting, which is June 9.

“Hopefully it will stick the way it is,” Myers said. “I think it’s best for each school to mandate what they need to do.”