Dangerous heat brings extra precautions for Maumee student-athletes

Maumee coaches and athletic trainers are preparing to keep student-athletes safe during this week's dangerously hot temperatures. / Pride of the Panthers photo

By JEREMY SCHNEIDER

IMA SPORTS

There are a few things high school coaches can control, but weather is not on that list.

With a heat advisory in effect for the area as the heat index rises to 103 degrees on Tuesday and dangerously hot temperatures in the forecast for the entire week, Maumee coaches and athletic training staff are taking special precautions.

Girls soccer coach Jeremiah McNutt is giving his players Tuesday night off because of the heat and a run of five games in seven games, including Wednesday’s game at Otsego.

McNutt said he encouraged his players to do a lower body ice bath after school.

As for the boys soccer team? Coach Chad Kain said they are practicing in a pool on Tuesday.

Yes, a pool.

According to football coach Evan Karchner, the preparation starts before the players even reach the field. He’s encouraging them to hydrate throughout the day, including having Gatorade powder packets available to his players.

“Obviously, when it comes to sports, heat can always be an issue,” Karchner said. “Kids have to understand that they need to hydrate every single day to be prepared to play. It has to be a lifestyle.

“Our coaches do a great job getting our players plenty of water breaks throughout practice and it's emphasized in our program.”

Keishon Midcalf gets a drink after cramping up during last week's game at Springfield.

In last Friday’s win at Springfield, several Panthers had severe cramping issues. Karchner said it caught him off guard because the temperature wasn’t that hot – it was 75 degrees at kickoff in Holland.

This Friday in Bryan, the forecast calls for a high of 89 degrees.

“The cramping issues we had at Springfield were a big hurdle for our team,” Karchner said. “I believe that it was good for our team because it highlighted our weakness as a team. Our players realized that they did not do enough to prepare to play a game. They recognized what they did wasn't enough and this is something we can work on moving forward so they can be on the field and not the sideline.”

In fact, the five players who were affected the most by cramping last week are required to get one of the Gatorade packets three times each day.

According to the National Weather Service, prolonged activity in heat indexes between 90-105 can lead to sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps are painful spasms usually in the muscles of the legs and abdomen. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, pale and cold skin and clamminess. Sunstroke, or heat stroke, includes symptoms of high body temperature, hot and dry skin, rapid and strong pulse and possible unconsciousness.

No matter the sport, the people responsible for the student-athletes at Maumee are prepared and ready to keep their players safe and out of harm’s way.

Photos courtesy of Pride of the Panthers

Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com