On Wednesday, Lincoln Public Schools mandated that all Lincoln schools keep students inside due to unhealthy levels of smoke in the air from Midwest fires. Also, the athletic teams took a hit with the recent news, realizing that all tournaments and practices would be cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Track athletes expressed frustration at the news that the meet in Papillion would be cancelled or postponed.

“The district claims that the air is bad for people with asthma, but I don’t think that it should affect everyone. The meet could be more optional, if you are uncomfortable, you do not have to compete. I don’t even think it is that bad out,” said Kaitlin Roh, a senior Field athlete.

If the meet is not moved to a later date, it is especially inconvenient for the Track and Field athletes, as one meet has already been cancelled because of weather this season. The athletes’ season only lasts 11 weeks, so the removal of two meets is almost unheard of.

On the other hand, one must only look out there windows to see the wispy layers of smoke looming below the clouds.

“I’m extremely glad that they are canceling or postponing the meet because it’s not fair to athletes like me who can’t breathe very well right now. It was bad for my breathing even walking around outside this morning,” said Amber Squires, a senior on the Track team who suffers from lung sensitivities.

The difficulties with air quality have been a novel, and for some, obnoxious situation in the district, but with some compromise and creative scheduling, LPS will soon be able to breathe easy.