Sweltering heat doesn't stop track championship in Clovis

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Scorching heat had athletes across here in the Central Valley drenched in sweat while some people could hardly sit in the heat.

The CIF State Track and Field Championships Friday at Buchanan High School in Clovis brought out thousands and the big event happened during one of the hottest days of the year.

So, naturally those who came pulled out their umbrellas to fight the scorching sun, but no one seemed to be as prepared as Phalescia Smith who huddled under a mega-umbrella while cheering on her daughter.

"Just a little shade from the sun is awesome but the weather is stagnant and hot," she said.

Because of the forecast, CIF officials moved times for the events back an hour and in some cases two to create a better weather environment for those competing.

It was a decision track athlete Kelly Koehnen, who is used to cooler temperatures up in northern California, appreciated.

"I'm really grateful that they pushed everything back an hour because that's going to make it a lot easier on the athletes, especially distance," she explained. "Because it gets hot."

But not all of the athletes were bothered by the warmth.

"I like competing in the heat instead of the cold," Micheletta Forbus from San Bernardino said. "So, I don't mind."

Event staff set out fans and cooling and hydrating stations for those competing.

There were even misting stations for folks just there to watch, like Kelsea Geddes who says that still was not enough to make her want to stay.

"It's pretty hot and I don't like when it's hot because it normally makes me sweat and I don't like when it sweats," she said.