July 2023 was reported as the warmest month ever recorded on Earth. As a result, Greenhill Athletics has shifted daily outdoor fall sports practices from a 4 p.m. start time to a 6:15 a.m. start time.

Head of Athletics and Physical Education Jarrett Shine decided on Aug. 22 to move the practices before the school day.

“We had to make adjustments because it was just too hot to practice in the afternoons,” Shine said.

Besides practicing in cooler, safer temperatures, some student-athletes believe that morning practices have helped them academically, too.

“I think it benefits the [football] team, honestly. No student-athlete wants to get home at 7 p.m. and say, ‘Dang, I really got a lot of homework to do,’” senior Brandon Polk said.

Morning practice has also helped with some students’ overall time management, balancing both athletics and academics.

“I’m tired a lot, but it’s fine because I get home earlier and can take a nap if I need to,” senior Zain Crumedy said. “Being able to do my homework right after school is nice. I feel more productive and don’t feel like I’m cramming and rushing my work.”

However, this sentiment isn’t universal; others have had a tougher time transitioning into their earlier practice times due to a lack of energy throughout the day, making it more difficult to concentrate during class.

“My sleep schedule hasn’t adjusted to the morning practices,” senior Zoya Iyer said.

Crumedy echoed this statement.

“Sometimes I’ll focus a little bit less during the school day, but I just have to lock in and work hard,” he said.

Another aspect that confuses some students is that fall teams still have outdoor workouts after school during HPC sessions.

“It doesn’t make sense why we don’t have practices in the afternoon when we have games and HPC workouts outside in the afternoon anyways,” Iyer said.

As temperatures start to leave the triple digits in the middle of September, regular after-school practice and classes starting at 8:30 a.m. are planned to resume starting the week of Sept. 11.