This week marks the one year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic. A moment that disrupted sports and life as we previously knew it. Amid the changes, some pre-pandemic issues persisted for local teams.

A year later, we’re still navigating through the biggest disruption in sports since World War II. There were no live events in most of the world for roughly two to three months. Since events returned, they have featured little to no live spectators. Schedules in many sports leagues have changed on the fly due to outbreaks. Despite all the changes, local sports teams have lived up to some pre-pandemic expectations. While facing challenges they were facing before the pandemic. Primarily, Cincinnati’s major league teams collective offensive woes.

Many expected the Cincinnati Reds to be contenders last year. Ultimately, the Reds made it to the expanded MLB Postseason. Only to crash out without scoring a run in their postseason series. A continuation of the Reds’ offensive struggles in recent years. Disrupting a strong year from the Reds starting rotation.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ struggles to keep their first round draft picks healthy continued. Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow unfortunately kept that trend alive. When his season ended early with an ACL injury. The Bengals still have a dismally unreliable offensive line. While Zac Taylor still seems green as the Bengals head coach.

FC Cincinnati’s pre-pandemic Major League Soccer growing pains continued through the rest of 2020. After MLS suspended play after FCC played two games; the suspension went on to last roughly four months. Despite having a team with promising players like Frankie Amaya and Nick Hagglund. FC Cincinnati had one of MLS’ worst offenses last season. Going through scoreless streaks that would last for weeks at a time. While adjusting to new head coach Jaap Stam. Part of the revolving door of coaches for the franchise since launching in 2015.

In college sports, Cincinnati Football had the phenomenal season many expected. Navigating through one of the wackiest college football seasons in history. Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference championship. Climbed high in the College Football Playoff rankings and the polls. Appearing for their first New Year’s Six bowl in the CFP era.

Local college basketball teams have not largely met expectations. With the pandemic playing a significant role in local team’s struggles. Xavier Basketball struggled to regain their rhythm. After pausing team activities for extended periods due to COVID-19 cases. Xavier lost six of their last nine games. Since returning from a 20 day pandemic pause in January. That nine game stretch included another pause that left Xavier sidelined in early February.

This disrupted a season that was going well for Xavier before the first pause. The Xavier Musketeers were even in the AP Top 25 for a week. While Xavier struggled after their long pandemic pause. Cincinnati Basketball soared after a 25 day long COVID-19 layoff. Winning eight of their last 11 games since returning to action on February 4th.

Despite their recent wins, Cincinnati’s going into the AAC Tournament with a .500 overall record. Cincinnati is struggling more than some expected this season. Due to factors relating and not relating to the pandemic. The team currently lacks the offensive fire power that 2019-20 seniors Jarron Cumberland and Tre Scott provided. Most starkly, the Bearcats are not faring well rebounding-wise this season.

Chris Vogt and Tre Scott had more rebounds per game last year. Compared to Tari Eason’s team-leading 5.6 rebounds per game this year. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s roster is being constantly shaken up by player opt-outs. David DeJulius is opting back in as the AAC Tournament begins. Two weeks after announcing he was opting out due to COVID-19 related stress.

Northern Kentucky Basketball was one team that mostly met expectations this season. They were the Horizon League contenders many expected them to be. Advancing to the conference semifinals before being knocked out by Oakland Basketball. They didn’t have the long disruptions that Xavier and Cincinnati had. Having four games cancelled, compared to the seven postponed or cancelled games each for Cincinnati and Xavier.

Ultimately, there was nothing truly normal about the last 12 months in sports. With games featuring cardboard cutouts, tarp-covered sections and piped-in crowd noise. Providing a stark and frankly consistent reminder of this pandemic. On the field or the court, local teams have provided some sense of normalcy. Through playing games and even through some teams having lousy seasons.