Weather affects all sports in some shape or form.   In some sports it just makes mental changes, in others it physically changes the entire sport or even cancels games. All of these changes affect athletes in the high school, college, and professional level. Not every game will be played under perfect sunny weather with a light breeze. Rainy cold weather is rather more common in some parts of the country.  This long cold weather pattern is new to NorCal.  In Contra Costa County, this season we see snow on the mountains, hear the streams rushing full of rainwater and temperatures in the 40s. But the Dons pivot to practice and play around the raindrops as best they can.

Some sports practice and play in the rain, like swim and lacrosse. Until the weather turns brutal with a extreme downpour or lightening these athletes keep it up. Yet, majority of the Spring sports are seeing events canceled or postponed.  Recently away softball games were rerouted to Acalanes as their opponents’ fields were underwater. Tennis is canceled very easily due to the rain. This weekend the decision was made for the Dons Track team not to attend the Marsh Creek Invitational. ‘The forecast does not look good, and I don’t see the point of spending all day getting soaked and the risk of injury is too great, and the chance of a good performance is too low’ shared Track Coach Escobar. Well, that makes logical sense. 

Even in the rain, the Dons coaches find ways to keep it going from practicing in the gym, hitting the weight room, team bonding and finding off campus indoor facilities. ACAcoaches are able to push through to make it happen.  We applaud our Acalanes coaching staff during this time, keeping our athletes physically and mentally strong. Success requires mental toughness, especially when competing in bad weather. We can’t control Mother Nature; however, our coaches embrace the challenge of rain conditions.  The mentally tough mentality isn’t just dealing with the cold, rain and wind, it’s using the bad weather to your advantage. Rain is not stopping the Dons.  The Dons gain the mental edge over the competition, when our competitors might be frustrated, upset with the conditions or not practicing at all.  The Dons keep going.  Thank you to all our coaches!

Dons Boys Volleyball play Home today! Frosh 4pm JV 5pm Varsity 630pm And No rain in the ACAgym!