GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. – Michigan high school winter contact sports were allowed to resume beginning Feb. 8, and parents and student athlete are happy to be back in action. “It means the world for her to be able to get back on the ice and play,” said Erin Grom, whose daughter Kiera is a freshman forward on Livonia girls hockey team. Grom can recall when she found out hockey, wrestling, basketball and competitive cheer would be able to resume. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, things have been smooth so far. READ: Michigan youth contact sports resume -- here are all the rules, specifics and detailsREAD: Timeline, tournament dates for Michigan high school basketball, hockey, wrestling, cheer

The battle over high school sports may be settled for now in Michigan, but there’s a new issue emerging because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of referees are choosing to stay on the sidelines and sitting it out, at least for now, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will have to work around it. He said that’s worst-case scenario because the MHSAA is determined to let student athletes play despite officials being down in Michigan by about 30%. Scott Waldendowski -- who officiates in the Macomb Area Conference -- said he sees firsthand there’s a lot of work for officials like himself. READ: Michigan high school basketball, hockey players have to wear masks during gamesDue to the shortage, MHSAA is currently hiring.

DETROIT – Student-athletes in Michigan can return to two of four contact sports, but there are new guidelines put in place by state officials. They put testing protocols as a main point because they know students are not going to want to wear masks. READ: Coaches ready for Michigan high school contact sports to resumeOn Monday, boys and girls basketball and ice hockey are allowed to start. Or they need a negative swab test within the preceding 72 hours. READ: Timeline, tournament dates for Michigan high school basketball, hockey, wrestling, cheerIf a student tests positive then they must isolate immediately and get another swab test within 48 hours.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift released a statement on Friday morning urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association to postpone the winter sports season as cases of COVID-19 reach new levels across the state. We take our responsibility very seriously to coordinate high school sports activities in a healthy, safe and responsible manner during the COVID-19 pandemic that continues this fall. "Therefore, we are calling on the MHSAA to delay the start of the winter athletic season. "Over the next two weeks, we will continue our advocacy to delay the winter sports season. We will provide regular updates to our school community and present the Board of Education with a report on November 11, 2020.