By Zoe Johnson
Three snow days in one week after just returning from Christmas break caused small issues for AHS athletes and coaches. Problems with practice and focus among athletes were some of the top concerns, as so much snow and freezing temperatures, made it hard to practice throughout the week.
The teams had difficulty preparing for upcoming competitions due to shortened or no practices. Both basketball and wrestling matches were postponed due to inclement weather, which gave the teams more time to prepare for later dates but caused complications later in the season.
Superintendent Jody Phillips said safety comes first.
“A lot of the "behind the scenes" work has to be done, once decisions are made, there is extensive communication that must occur. Also, we must determine whether our campus facilities are safe enough for students to occupy. If the temperature is too cold, we run the risk of our buses "gelling", which is the diesel gas freezing. If a bus gels up, it is stuck where it is, which leaves a bus full of students with no heat,” he said
For activities to be held, a great deal of time is spent clearing parking lots and roads for athletes to get to the school and back safely. A decision has to be made between the administrators and extracurricular sponsors regarding activities. With policies that the facility has to follow in order to have practices or games.
Girls’ head basketball coach Kelly Krueger said being flexible is key.
“Snow days are hard because we are constantly changing our schedule. Sometimes, due to the weather, we get more time to prep and sometimes we get less, but we have to work with what we are given,” she said.
Girls’ wrestling coach Sheri Thompson said there is no time to waste.
“We have a very tough schedule in the second half of our season so the girls know they have to be ready and focused to meet the goals that they have set for themselves! The girls don't love the early morning practices, but they would rather do that than have no practice at all.”
Overall, students, coaches and administrators will continue to work to be both safe and successful as the winter season continues.