After one of the most mild winters in decades, the weather for the spring outdoor season has been good more often than it's been poor. Saturday, however, conditions were less than ideal. Much less.
The records from St. Louis International Airport's weather station in St. Louis County show a high of just 48-degress for the day. That came at 12:51 a.m. The temperature dipped to a low for the day of 41-degrees at 6:51 a.m., about 40-minutes after sunrise. When the meet started at 9 a.m. the temperature was 45-degrees. While that's chilly, it's the wind that really bites and forces many to add layers. Wind blew consistently between 12 and 22-miles-per-hour until the meet wrapped up around 4 p.m. Wind gusts were recorded from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. between 25-33 miles-per-hour.
Seven miles south of airport weather station, the Ladue Brusca-Strobach Invitational was held for the second straight year at the nearly 4-year-old outdoor stadium. Athletes made adjustments with some sporting many layers, others keeping their warm-ups on longer than usual and bundling back up immediately after competing, while others behavior didn't change at all and just wore their usual uniform long before, during, and after competing.
The conditions did prevent some from taking to the start line, deciding to forego the chance to compete and avoid the increased chance of injury to cold muscles. Evidence of the conditions were everywhere. Keep reading to and scrolling to see some.
Results
A Eureka High School sprinter was one of many to don a balaclava to stay wearm.
The sun did break through for a couple hours Saturday morning and is visible here as Ladue head coach Nick Buckvar works early in the meet.
St. Louis native, Riverview Gardens High School alum, former Southeast Missouri State University 400-meter All-American, 2-time World Championship 4x400 medalist for the USA and Purdue assistant coach Miles Smith (Miles Smith 2nd MS Profile)was in town and stopped by the meet. He, like everyone else at the meet was bundled up to stay warm.
Pattonville senior Camryn Hubbard sported tights and hoodie on her way to a runner-up finish in the 800.
Hazelwood West and Hazelwood Central athletes covered up to stay warm in the 800-meter run.
The Lindbergh Lady Flyers were able to enjoy a laugh while wearing coats and blankets to stay warm.
The 3200-meter run means eight laps around the track and near certainty that any wind will not just be at your back, but will hit head on., like this Fort Zumwalt West runner experiences, wearing long sleeves, tights, and gloves to limit the near freezing wind-chill.
The Ladue 4x400 ladies tried to stay warm before their turn with the baton. The Lady Rams ran to victory in 4:03.55.