Athletes Work To Beat The Heat

Wednesday, August 8th 2007, 8:19 pm

By: News On 6

A Tulsa Edison High School student was sent to the hospital after practice Wednesday morning because of the heat. The danger is real. Players can become very sick, very quickly. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports it's happened at a couple of schools around Tulsa, so coaches are arming players with a lot of water.

While most teens are enjoying what's left of summer, some are spending their mornings and afternoons on the field.

â€œThe first scrimmage of the year is August 17th,â€ said Edison head coach Wade Weller.

And the Eagles want to soar above the competition. So, they're honing their skills, but siking out the other team isn't the only thing these guys have to worry about. They're also battling the heat.

â€œIt's pretty difficult to play in the heat, but we stay watered up,â€ said player Terrell Williams. â€œAs long as you stay watered up, it's a little bit better.

But the heat did get the better of one of Edison's players.

â€œWe had a player who didn't work out all summer long, was in the AC, came today, his first day of practice, wasn't hydrated, came in, and he needed some assistance so we called EMSA, and they came,â€ said Weller.

â€œIt was real scary when I saw him on the stretcher and everything because he was unconscious. I hope he's alright right now,â€ Williams.

Coaches say he'll be fine, but his teammates can hopefully learn a valuable lesson.

â€œIt's very hot, and you know the thing that we emphasize the most is liquids, fluids, fluids, fluids,â€ Weller said.

Wade Weller says he's making sure his guys get plenty of fluids and breaks during practice. He says the player that was sent to the hospital Wednesday morning is doing a lot better. In fact, he'll be at practice Thursday.

We also learned about a player at Booker T. Washington who passed out Tuesday from dehydration. His mom tells us he was able to go to practice Wednesday.

Watch the video: Student Athletes Battle The Heat