Canceling or postponing games is rarely a popular decision, especially when hundreds of parents, fans and players have made lengthy trips for the competition. However, school officials, including those at Ottawa High School, Wellsville and Central Heights among others, made a prudent decision to stop play this weekend. OHS officials used new technology, borrowed from their neighbor Ottawa Middle School, to determine the proximity of potentially intense lightning. A lightning detector showed lightning was within three to eight miles of Steve Grogan Stadium when the officials stopped the game with just nine minutes elapsed playing time in the first quarter. Kansas City's Blue Valley High School officials learned that lesson the hard way several years ago when students were scared to death as well as injured when lightning struck their field.
Lightning detectors are now common in the Kansas City area.
Although there was a lot on the line for both OHS and its rival, Turner High School, OHS officials decided to halt play rather than risk anyone's safety. Officials' proactive approach demonstrated their concern for safety over inconvenience. Guessing the weather isn't an exact science, however the new lightning meter has made it easier for officials to make educated decisions. OMS has used the device numerous times during the past 18 months to insure students' safety for all sorts of outdoor activities. While no activities have been canceled, a few sub-varsity meets were cut short due to weather.