The spring sports season at ETHS brings a constant battle against the elements. One day offers perfect playing conditions with warm sunshine, while the next delivers freezing winds or pouring rain, creating challenges that go far beyond simple schedule changes.
“The weather has completely messed with our practice schedule,” explains Rory Malia, a junior on the lacrosse team. “We’ve had to constantly adjust our plans and even change locations at the last minute.”
These disruptions make it difficult for teams to maintain consistent preparation as they work toward peak performance.
The conditions present more than just logistical headaches, though. Cold, wet weather significantly impacts how athletes perform.
“In lacrosse, we rely so much on precise hand movements and quick running,” Malia says. “When it’s freezing outside, everything becomes harder to execute properly.”
Slippery equipment, reduced visibility and stiff muscles all combine to create suboptimal playing conditions.
For team captains like varsity soccer player Mia Darer, the weather presents an additional mental challenge.
“It definitely affects your mindset when you know you’re about to practice in cold rain,” she admits. “Passes won’t go where you want, everything feels uncomfortable and it’s easy to get frustrated.”
But, Darer emphasizes the importance of pushing through.
“As a captain, I remind everyone these tough practices matter most. We play games in these conditions too, so we need to be prepared.”
The physical risks also extend beyond poor performance. Colder temperatures lead to tighter muscles and increased injury risk.
“We’ve had multiple players deal with calf and hamstring issues this season,” Darer notes, speaking from personal experience. “I’ve strained my calf before because my muscles couldn’t stay loose in the cold.”
The unpredictable spring weather forces teams to implement special precautions to keep players safe and performing at their best. Coaches have adjusted traditional warm-up routines to account for the added risks posed by cold temperatures and wet conditions.
“We take stretching and hydration more seriously in bad weather,” Darer explains. “Our coaches constantly remind us to prepare our bodies properly to avoid preventable injuries.”
This heightened focus on preparation highlights the stark differences between spring and fall sports seasons. While fall athletes enjoy relatively stable conditions, their spring counterparts must adapt to daily fluctuations that impact every aspect of their game.
“I also play tennis in the fall, and the difference is huge,” Darer observes. “Autumn weather is consistently better—maybe an occasional rain delay, but nothing like the constant challenges we face in spring.”
These seasonal disparities have led some players and coaches to reconsider whether traditional sports alignments still make sense. The debate particularly surrounds sports like soccer that could potentially thrive in more predictable fall conditions while avoiding spring’s volatility.
“Having summer to prepare on actual fields would help so much,” Darer suggests. “Winter makes proper training impossible, and spring weather creates so many additional obstacles.”
