Lincoln East’s Haider Al-Barakat (right) breaks away from Lincoln Northeast’s Sa Kyaw (center), and Jack Haeffner before scoring a goal in the first half on March 19 at Seacrest Field.
Two days after Lincoln’s COVID-19 risk dial was lowered to low yellow, Lincoln Public Schools announced Thursday changes to spectator protocols for sporting events.
All competition sites will allow up to 75% capacity for general admission, and the limit on spectators per athlete has been lifted.
Once a venue reaches 75% capacity, no additional spectators will be allowed admission into the event. Admission will be first come, first serve.
Spectators must continue to wear face coverings while at a sporting event, and physical distance between groups is still encouraged.
Prior to Thursday, soccer and baseball attendance was limited to four or six spectators per athlete.
The new spectator guidelines come as LPS teams prepare for the stretch run to the spring sports season. Soccer will wrap up its regular season next week and baseball will soon follow.
Lincoln will host Class B girls state tennis on May 20-21, and the Class A state baseball tournament May 15-20.
Photos: A roundup of our favorite staff images from the high school spring sports season
Top Journal Star photos for April
Lincoln Southwest baserunner Ethan Morrow creates a cloud of diving into home as a Lincoln Southeast wild pitch allows him to score from third base in the fourth inning Thursday at Densmore Field. Southwest won 7-4.
Top Journal Star photos for April
Lincoln East’s Admir Mujkic (left) received a foul for a high kick near the face of Lincoln High’s Jaden Weiland in the second half Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
Top Journal Star photos for April
Lincoln East’s Brayden McPhail (right) reacts after kicking the game-winning penalty past Lincoln High goalkeeper Owen Thompson (not shown) on Wednesday at Seacrest Field. Thompson had saved McPhail’s original attempt, but was judged to have come off his line before McPhail struck the ball.
Lincoln High vs. Lincoln East, 4.14
Lincoln East’s Brayden Bouwens stretches for a successful penalty kick by Lincoln High’s Ronan Parks during a shootout Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
Waverly vs. Norris, 4.13
Norris’ Reese Borer (left) — who scored all three Titans goals — looks to pass against Waverly’s Kiearya Reinwald on Tuesday during the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament semifinals in Firth.
Waverly vs. Norris, 4.13
Norris’ Molly Ramsey (left) looks on as Waverly goalkeeper Tara Tenopir scoops up the ball in the first half Tuesday during the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament semifinals in Firth.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Northeast, 4.8
Lincoln Southeast’s Tyler Vander Woude (3) and Lincoln Northeast’s Juan Alferez battle for the ball in the first half Thursday at Beechner Athletic Complex.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Northeast, 4.8
Lincoln Southeast goalkeeper Emmett Anderson (center) kicks the shot of Lincoln Northeast’s Brice Eloume Epansang (19) as the Knights’ Ryan Tisdale (left) looks on during the first half Thursday at Beechner Athletic Complex.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln East, 4.7
Lincoln East’s Paige Poppe (center) celebrates her game-tying goal in the closing seconds of regular time against Lincoln Southwest on Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln East, 4.7
Lincoln Southwest goalkeeper Alexa Gobel (1) stops a penalty kick from Lincoln East’s Ashley Bredthauer on Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln East, 4.7
Lincoln Southwest’s Ava Spinar (second left) scores the Silver Hawks’ first goal despite the tight defense of Lincoln East’s Carly Bredthauer (2) as Clara Catlin (6) and Annie Mulder (15) look on in the first half on Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln North Star, 4.6
Lincoln North Star baserunner Caden Steiger reaches out to help up Lincoln Southwest third baseman Telo Arsiaga (6), whom he knocked over attempting to steal third in the second inning on Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln North Star, 4.6
Lincoln North Star shortstop Cooper Westlund makes a sliding catch on a popup hit by Lincoln Southwest in the first inning Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Lincoln North Star, 4.6
An RBI single by Lincoln Southwest batter Will Johnson (foreground) gets past Lincoln North Star third baseman Cameron Teinert for the Silver Hawks’ eighth run against the Navigators on Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Papillion-La Vista, 4.2
The cap of Papillion-La Vista’s Gage Ingram (23) comes off in the gusty wind as he looks to turn the double play against Lincoln Southwest on April 2 at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln Southwest vs. Papillion-La Vista, 4.2
Lincoln Southwest’s Brock Merkel (8) circles third base and scores Friday at Den Hartog Field.
Beatrice vs. Elkhorn North, 4.1
Beatrice baserunner Elijah Mangnall (3), who scored the game-winning run, celebrates with teammate Cooper Hamilton, who drove him in, in the bottom of the seventh inning against Elkhorn North on Thursday in Beatrice.
Beatrice vs. Elkhorn North, 4.1
Elkhorn North’s Luke Tillman (top) forces out Beatrice baserunner Max Reis but his slide prevents the throw to first in the fourth inning Thursday in Beatrice.
Beatrice vs. Elkhorn North, 4.1
Elkhorn North baserunner Brandon Cervania (left) gets tagged out in a rundown between third and home by Beatrice’s Austin Burroughs in he fourth inning on Thursday in Beatrice.
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln North Star, 3.31
Lincoln North Star goalkeeper Noah Schroeder dives but can’t stop a shot from Lincoln Pius X midfielder Morgan Armagost in the first half Wednesday at Aldrich Field.
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln North Star, 3.31
A free kick from Lincoln Pius X midfielder Morgan Armagost (not shown) gets past the wall of Lincoln North Star’s Laith Al-Waely (from left), Ahmed Al-Waely and Carlos Mejia Delarca for the Thunderbolts’ third goal of the match Wednesday at Aldrich Field.
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln North Star, 3.31
Lincoln Pius X’s Nam Ninh (right) gets knocked off the ball by Lincoln North Star’s Carlos Mejia Delarca in the first half Wednesday at Aldrich Field.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.30
Lincoln Southeast baserunner Will Jesske (left) rushes back to third during a pick-off attempt as Lincoln Southwest Telo Arsiaga catches the throw. A balk was called on the play, allowing Jesske to score.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.30
Lincoln Southeast pinch-runner Hunter Dragoo (8) reacts after getting picked off first base for the first out in the seventh inning against Lincoln Southwest on Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln Southeast vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.30
Lincoln Southeast’s David Swanson (3) reaches for the throw as Lincoln Southwest baserunner Will Johnson (bottom) steals second in the first inning Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.
Lincoln East vs. Lincoln Northeast, 3.19
Lincoln East’s Haider Al-Barakat (right) breaks away from Lincoln Northeast’s Sa Kyaw (center), and Jack Haeffner before scoring a goal in the first half on March 19 at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln East vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.22
Lincoln Southwest’s Eli Rhodes (right) celebrates his goal against Lincoln East with teammates, including Quintin Kniss, on Monday at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln East vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.22
Lincoln Southwest’s Braden Lackey kicks the ball during a match against Lincoln East on Monday at Seacrest Field.
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.19
Lincoln Pius X’s Emerson Dolph (10) throws to first to force out Lincoln Southwest’s Joon Dunsmore in the first inning Friday at Sherman Field.
Lincoln Pius X vs. Lincoln Southwest, 3.19
Lincoln Southwest batter Brock Merkel (left) celebrates after driving in two runs with a double as Lincoln Pius X’s Colby Chapelle looks in the fourth inning Friday at Sherman Field.
Reach Clark Grell at 402-473-2639 or cgrell@journalstar.com. On Twitter at @LJSSportsGrell.