With California’s tedious transition out of sweltering summer heat, M-A fall-sport athletes have been forced to balance double-day practices in extreme weather.
This year, excessive heat has been a major problem for M-A athletes participating in fall sports. Recently, August and September temperatures have been intolerably high, with a high of 94 degrees Fahrenheit in August and 90 degrees in September. Although just standing outside in this heat might not feel like much, when practicing for two hours on a turf field in a heavy uniform, 94 degrees can feel like living in the sun.
Senior varsity football player Aaron Becker said, “Hot weather tends to take the team’s focus away, or drain us of energy during long practices.” Becker explained how although his coach offers a decent amount of water breaks throughout practices, the heat can still get to him and his teammates. One way Becker combats this is by aiming to drink a lot of water when he can. “Around 100 ounces of water every practice,” he recalls from one week.
On the other side of Coach Parks field, varsity cross country runner and sophomore Cason Mitchell’s team struggles to stay fully hydrated as they run long distances under the blazing sun. “Excessive heat during practice can not only change your whole mindset while you’re running but also the output of your performance altogether,” he explained.
Across campus, constant sunny days on the tennis courts have taken a toll on students. Junior varsity tennis player Sofia Basso explained how she tries her best to take frequent breaks from the clay courts’ scorching heat. Two-hour practices tend to drain Basso and her team of energy.
Junior dance team member Aliyah Chowdhary-Fitton said, “Since we don’t have any air conditioning in the dance room that we practice in every week, it gets really stuffy and we tire out easily. The cheer team practices in the same room, so they have to deal with this kind of problem too.” Chowdhary-Fitton also explained how she finds herself needing to take frequent breaks from dancing by stepping outside of this humid and stifling environment.
Some ways you can stay safe in the sun are to drink plenty of water and refill your water bottle often. Remember to take frequent breaks and not over-exhaust yourself in hot weather.
