While confusion has circulated around Northwest about whether or not female athletes are allowed to exclusively wear sports bras without a shirt, the rumors aren’t true, according to athletic director Dr. Heath Wilson. There is no official rule from SMNW athletics about female attire at practice. 

“Every program has its own rules, and I leave that up to the program,” Dr. Wilson said. “Anytime our male athletes are either working out in the weight room or they’re on the fields with their shirts off, I always say put a shirt on.”

According to the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) handbook, girls tennis players are required to compete in a full-length shirt and shorts/skirt “worn as the manufacturer intended.” Likewise, the rules for cross country state that “any visible garments worn underneath the uniform top is considered to be a foundation garment” and is allowed – only if there is no distinguishable logo. The rules between practice and competition vary and the rules between sports are left up to the discretion of the coach. 

“At the end of the day, whatever the tennis coach feels appropriate that they can wear, they can wear. And I support that,” Wilson said. 

Most fall spots at Northwest are outside during the tail ends of summer weather and practices can be held as long as the weather falls under 89.8º F, according to the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, a measure that combines air temperature, humidity, wind speed and sunlight. 

Athletes feel that, with the high heat, they should be allowed to practice in what they feel most comfortable in. 

“Being able to practice in a sports bra especially in the heat is so important, it can become almost a safety hazard not to,” said cross country runner, sophomore Eleanor McCarter. “The environment around clothing is to wear what is best for you, and what makes you feel comfortable.”

High temperatures have an effect on almost every aspect of practices, according to McCarter. It limits how much athletes can practice and how long they can practice. 

“Running in the heat can add minutes to race times because your body is already working so hard it can’t figure out how to handle anything else,” McCarter said. 

As a result of the high heat, practices were changed the week of August 31-September 4th to the mornings when the sky is still dark.