If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of athletics, band

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By Katlin Stinespring
Hurricane High School

Throughout the summer, the sticky humidity, unbearable temperatures and heat indexes of more than 100 degrees tormented athletes and band members who spent long days outdoors preparing for the fall sports season. Even after school began, the sweltering heat stayed around to torture all of those who dreamed of autumn leaves and cool air.

Many bands started working as early as late June in order to prepare for Independence Day parades. These practices, scheduled in accordance with county athletic policies, continued through the first day of school.

To avoid the hottest part of the day - between noon and 5 p.m. — coaches and band directors usually schedule practice in the early morning and late evening. This prevented exposure to the worst sun conditions.

“To condition for summer practices, my soccer teammates and I did Potential Plus, worked out by ourselves or continued playing with our spring team during the summer,” said Winfield senior Megan Samples. “Our coaches put stress on drinking plenty of water and eating healthy throughout the summer.”

Even the fittest people have difficulty handling the heat for long hours. Heat exhaustion is always lurking at practices, and it is common for those who get overheated to become dizzy and even pass out.

“To handle playing in the heat, we make sure we drink plenty of water and get a good breakfast and lunch before we actually go to practice. We also try to not to stay inside the whole day so we can get used to the heat a little bit,” said soccer player Jessica Proudfoot, a Hurricane senior.

To prevent heat exhaustion and maintain strength, many band members carry water bottles strapped around their shoulders to sip from during breaks. Also, band boosters provide cold towels soaked in ice for band members to wear around their necks. At band camp this summer, Hurricane instructors required all band members to wear a hat to protect them from the heat and keep the sun’s rays out of their eyes.

“I try to go outside as much as possible before practices to get used to the heat, so it’s not quite as bad when I actually go out there for practice. I also drink Powerade during breaks to keep myself hydrated,” said Hurricane junior Katie Witt, who is a member of the color guard.

“I drink plenty of fluids and keep a cold towel around my neck to prevent getting overheated during golf practice,” said Hurricane senior Jeff Barna.

A nurse is often nearby at band practices to care for students who feel ill or pass out. In the case of the sports teams, though, this often does not occur because closed practices prohibit spectators.

“To keep our energy and endurance and stay healthy, we watch what we eat. For example, we try not to drink pop and caffeine products because it makes you more dehydrated,” said Proudfoot. “Also, if we feel we are getting overheated, we stop and get water so we don’t get sick.”

“If a teammate passes out, we stop immediately, sit them in the shade and we find a Gatorade. If they haven’t eaten, we give them crackers or anything we have,” she continued. “If they are very overheated we put a very wet and cold towel over their head and basically just get them out of the heat until they are able to get home.”

“I have a water bottle that I take with me everywhere, and I make myself drink from it all day. Also, I stay away from salts and starchy carbohydrates as well as mentally prepare myself. I figure if kids in Africa can survive, so can I,” said Hurricane senior Angy El-Khatib.

El-Khatib, a soccer player, is Muslim. “During Ramadan, I make myself drink at least a gallon before I go to sleep and take vitamins so I can survive practice the next day without water or anything.”

One of the toughest challenges of handling the summer heat during is staying motivated and positive. Each student has his or her own method for this.

“Robbie Gordon, the team’s assistant coach from Potential Plus, is the major part of our team’s motivation,” said Samples. “He is very passionate about what he does with us and gives us stories and scriptures from the Bible to keep us going. When he started working with us last year, our attitude changed completely.”

“The power of music and just knowing how I might change someone’s point of view about music while performing keeps me motivated when practice is frustrating and it gets really hot,” said junior Jonathon “JT” Pritt, a member of Winfield’s band.

“I absolutely love soccer. It’s my favorite sport to play, and I really don’t get bored with it at all. My friends are there, other people are helping me and supporting me, and it’s all great fun because we all know what the others are feeling,” El-Khatib said.

“Also, I just enjoy being active and staying healthy. It bothers me when I’m not. And I have this idea that when I go to do the pilgrimage in Mecca, it’ll probably be just as hot if not more and possibly more demanding.”