Heat Postpones Games, Changes Practice for Minnetonka and Hopkins Teams

Monday’s sweltering temperatures forced Minnetonka and Hopkins sports teams to postpone games and change practices to ensure athletes stay safe.

At Hopkins High School, officials postponed girls’ tennis andsoccer games that were supposed to be played Monday afternoon. Teams that didn’t have games moved practice indoors—although some teams did light workouts of about half an hour outdoors.

“We’re probably on the conservative side,” Hopkins Athletic and Activities Director Dan Johnson said. “

But Hopkins is far from the only school making arrangements to deal with the heat. Minnetonka High School didn’t have any games scheduled Monday, but teams did avoid practicing between noon and 6 p.m. to avoid the hottest part of the day, said Jake Sturgis, a district spokesman. 

Tomorrow, Minnetonka teams will avoid practicing from noon to 5 p.m. Girls’ soccer games start at 5 p.m., and the district is hoping the day has cooled off enough for them to play by then, Sturgis said. Officials should know by midday whether the games are a go.

Hopkins starts its matches earlier. Tennis begins at 3:30 p.m., and boys’ soccer begins at 4 p.m. Coaches will be watching the thermometer to see if those games will go ahead as planned; Johnson expects to make a decision by 1 p.m.

“We just kind of take it day to day,” he said.