Imagine trying to perform at your peak physical ability on the court or field, while the hot Arizona sun beats down on you constantly. That is what student athletes at Chandler High School have to do during the fall sport season every year. Freshman Tennis, Tackle and Flag Football, Swim and Dive, Cross Country, Mens’ Beach Volleyball, Golf, and many other sports at CHS hold their practices and workouts outside in the still-hot months of July, August, September, and October. While outdoor workouts can improve athletes’ physical conditioning, making them better prepared for the demands of strenuous games and long seasons, practicing in these intense heat conditions can lead to athletes passing out, dehydration, and even more serious injuries such as heat stroke. While sports practice differently and some may seem to have easier conditions than others, each sport faces their own challenges practicing in over 100 degree Arizona weather.
Coach Mike Donnelly, who coaches Freshman Boys and Girls Tennis, must plan training and practices for players, most of them new to the game, in these extreme conditions. Donnelly said, “It’s very important to keep an eye out for each athlete. If one seems like they might be struggling and might be afraid to speak up, sometimes you have to speak up for them and advocate.”
He discussed how important it is for athletes to advocate for themselves and their teammates during practices: “We all may play individually but we are all a part of the same team and being on the same team means being there and showing up for each other.”
Although staying safe in extreme heat can be challenging, Coach Donnelly also knows that persevering through tough conditions can make athletes stronger in the long term. “While running and hitting in this weather feels impossible, it makes the students more prepared for the games that are held in extreme heat. Staying hydrated and listening to your body while practicing for an upcoming match makes the difference between a beginner and a competitor,” Donnelly said.
Varsity Tennis player Graciela Alvarado helps to train new players during the fall Freshman Tennis season, giving her first hand experience with training outside during the summer and “fall” months. “Coming from a player’s perspective, it’s exhausting playing in this weather,” Graciela said. “I sometimes feel bad for them. But because I have practiced in one-hundred plus degrees, I don’t get as exhausted quickly as the players who don’t practice in that weather.”
Athletes say that having the pressure of both the sun and the people watching can be a lot, but the reward is even better. Knowing that you can stand against the intensity and be able to compete with it mentally while still being able to excel is what makes a true athlete. Varsity Football athlete Brayden Nesbit also described similar feelings: “Sometimes when you feel that kind of heat and you think to yourself ‘I can’t do it anymore,’ you attack that thought, and you say to yourself that you can.”
Whether an athlete is competing in perfect temperate weather or extreme heat, the safety of the athlete is ultimately more important than winning a single game, match, or race. Staying hydrated and making sure you cool down and take needed rest breaks are crucial when it comes to practicing and playing in extreme weather. Having a good mindset when it comes to competing is just as important, too. If an athlete can perform at their best while maintaining a healthy body and mind, they can dominate the competition.
