With spring sports around the corner, athletes have been working hard, training for the upcoming season. Spring, like any other season, comes with its own set of challenges that athletes have to deal with. Spring is known for having big changes in weather, from heavy rain to warm temperatures.
The drastic change in weather causes many practices and games to be canceled or postponed at the last minute. The Wolf interviewed sophomore Piper Thayne, a tennis player, about game cancellations.
“I feel really disappointed when our games get canceled because we work so hard as a team during the week leading up to the matches,” Thayne said.
It can be very frustrating when practices or games get canceled. Thayne likes to take advantage of this extra time to improve.
“I usually practice on my own to stay on top of my game and make sure that I’m ready for my next game or practice,” she said.
Rain and wind not only affect athletes’ performance; they also cause confusion.
“When it rains on the tennis courts, it makes it slick and I don’t have a lot of traction, which can cause problems with running to get the ball or staying steady while following through with a swing,” Thayne said. “When it is windy, it can throw the ball off course and make it bounce in a way you didn’t expect.”
The rain can also cause other problems for athletes; playing on a slippery court could cause someone to slip, fall and potentially get injured.
In most spring sports, wind is an athlete’s biggest concern because it can move the ball in a completely different direction. Sometimes it can be hard to focus and do your best when you are distracted by bad weather. But many athletes have developed their own strategies for making the best of the circumstances.
“I stay focused when it’s raining or windy by not paying attention to the bad weather and instead thinking about how I can take advantage of it,” Thayne said.
While warmer, sunny weather is nice, athletes are more likely to feel dehydrated and exhausted while playing in high temperatures.
“I prefer to play in cold weather because we are allowed to wear jackets during games and the heat drains my energy very quickly,” Thayne said.
Weather plays a huge role in spring sports and an athlete’s performance. High temperatures can result in exhaustion, while sudden rain can cause a game cancellation or create safety concerns. Strong winds can impact the outcome of a game. However, athletes have learned to adapt to these weather conditions and continue to have fun.
