Excessive heat has taken its toll on the opening week of fall sports practices.

Monday marked the first official day of the 2010-11 athletic season. Temperatures reached the high 90s, forcing teams inside in order to comply with the Missouri State Activities Association guidelines.

Warrenton activities director Craig Frazier says he worked with coaches to assure proper measures were taken to protect athletes from the dangerous heat.

MSHSAA rules indicate that practices must be moved indoors if the heat index reaches tops 105 degrees. At times on Monday, that figure climbed above 110 degrees.

“The weather has not been cooperating that well,” said Frazier. “Soccer and football both had to come inside early.”

It made for some adjustments, as the volleyball team already occupied the gym.

Cross country, soccer and volleyball opted to practice in the morning, while the softball team rotated to work around the heat. The football team is using split two-a-day sessions to prepare for the season.

Despite the heat, Frazier says the coaches are excited about unveiling another sports season. Several upgrades to the athletic facilities have intensified the buzz at Warrenton.

“This is always a great time as an AD,” said Frazier. “As a coach, you are always anxious, because you never know what you are going to get (on the first day.)”

Football coach Ken Moore spent Monday trying to make the most of his team’s practices while confined to the gym. 

“It’s just like with teaching, sometimes things come up you’re not expecting,” said Moore. “Good coaches plan ahead, and we know we have this option even if we don’t want to.”

Moore was thrilled to have 75 athletes report to the first two-a-day session.

“That’s a big number for us,” said Moore. “We haven’t really had numbers quite like that. We’re real happy with that. The kids came out, got their equipment and were ready to roll.”

Softball coach Shannon Jeffrey is excited about his first year in the district and was able to get acquainted with his team during camp and open field sessions throughout the summer.

“I’m sitting up at 3 a.m. in the morning, writing stuff down, excited,” said Jeffrey. “My adrenaline is going, and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Jeffrey had 35 girls report to camp, including four seniors. He expected to have made a round of cuts by Wednesday.

“I’ll take 35 every year,” quipped Jeffrey. “That’s a pretty good number. I’m not sure how many we’ll keep.” 

Cross country coach Mike Spoede says numbers are down but the talent level is at its peak. The Warriors had 10 runners report to practice on the first day.

“Numbers are down ... what I have, I’m really happy with,” said Spoede. “There’s a good chance we could take over half of these kids to state.”

Volleyball coach Drew DeManuele is entering his second season at the helm and says numbers are also low within his program.

“I’m excited about the season,” said DeManuele. “We’ve got a different system here, and six out of the nine girls played club ball.”

With 28 players reporting, he expects to field nine varsity players.

“Numbers are low,” said DeManuele. “We’ve got some pretty good talent in those 28. We’re looking to carry about nine in each program.”

Soccer coach John Schulte says he had 26 players report, including five seniors.

“We’re kind of down in numbers this year,” said Schulte. “It doesn’t give us much lee way.”

He added that the heat drained his players’ energy quickly and they had to retreat inside on both Monday and Tuesday.

“We had to cut practice short a little bit, and finish up inside with some running in the air conditioning,” said Schulte.