MARQUETTE — The Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic is another event casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Race Director Scott Tuma said the event, set for Aug. 8, has been canceled.

“The planning that goes into an event of this size is enormous,” Tuma said in the announcement. “As you can imagine, sorting out all of the logistics in the midst of a pandemic has been the most challenging process in our 21 years.”

He said the situation had been monitored closely with local, county and state units of governments, law enforcement and emergency response professionals as well as health agencies.

“Despite months of work, too many factors just aren’t lining up for us to be able to hold the event while protecting the health and safety of participants, spectators, volunteers and our community,” Tuma said.

The entries of all registered races will automatically be deferred to the 2021 O2S.

The Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic includes several races, including the 48-mile Hard Rock race that starts in Negaunee and leads into Marquette.

Coach tests positive

Marquette Little League has been shut down for the season after a coach tested positive for COVID-19.

MLL President Shane Cromell said the coach went to a hockey tournament in Wisconsin recently, and the coach of his kid’s team began to feel sick. However, that test, which took place on June 29, turned up negative.

The Little League coach, Cromell said, coached the team Tuesday and Wednesday instead of staying home. On Thursday, the coach’s test came back positive.

The coach, which according to the Marquette County Health Department was asymptomatic, has been banned from Marquette Little League, said Cromell, who noted the health department is conducting contact tracing.

“I can’t put kids at risk,” Cromell said. “He could have handled it differently.”

Michigan Tech

changes admissions

Michigan Technological University has altered its admissions process to allow potential students to apply — and possibly receive a decision on their application — without submitting ACT or SAT scores.

As a result of test postponements and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising seniors in Michigan will not receive their SAT exam scores until October or November. Because most colleges and universities require SAT or ACT test results as part of the application for admission, Michigan students wait longer than others to apply.

Under MTU’s new system, pre-college students with a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale have the option of submitting an application without an ACT or SAT test score.

Michigan Tech is removing a barrier to the admissions process in an effort to help students apply, and often receive a decision on their application, without having to wait on test results, said Allison Carter, director of admissions at Michigan Tech, in a news release.

“This new process helps us to further ensure that we’re equally considering all applicants,” Carter said. “In addition, the policy will provide greater access to students who are academically strong, but test below their potential — basically, underrepresented students, students with test anxiety and some female applicants — without specifically calling out these groups.”

Carter said applicants can submit an application as soon as they are able to submit an official high school transcript. Once an applicant receives a college admissions exam score, they can submit it to bolster their application.

A lower score won’t penalize a student whose application would otherwise secure them admission, she said.

Students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships are required to submit test scores. Applicants will be reviewed individually based on high school academic performance, including courses taken, grades received and trends in grades relative to their intended major.

Test scores will be taken into consideration for those required to submit them or who wish to supplement their application.

“We’re excited about this change, especially when you consider the access it provides to students who do well academically but may test below their potential due to a variety of factors,” Carter said. “The response from families about this change for 2021 has been very positive. We’ve been able to keep student excitement about Michigan Tech high and the stress associated with the college application process low.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net