On the sidelines of the field and the bench of the court, athletic trainers keep a watchful eye on each and every athlete who throws themselves into their sport. Whether it is a broken bone or a small cut, quick reactions and treatment can make or break an athlete’s game and, sometimes, their season.
Amarillo High Sports Medicine has proved itself as an essential feature to high school sports over the years. With a current total of 32 student athletic trainers (SATs) and two certified Athletic Trainers, the program spreads itself thin across seven of the biggest sports: football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, soccer, softball and baseball. Accompanying the teams to every game, student trainers provide care for athletes whenever the need arises.
“For any level, the athletic trainer is always the first one to an injury, and because of that, they are able to do a quick on-field or on-court evaluation that typically leads to accurate answers quickly,” Head Athletic Trainer Dr. Joshua Bowles said. “That also allows us to basically start their care almost instantaneously with treatment and a rehab plan after that.”
Athletic trainers are well versed in three things: prevention, care and rehab. Before an injury ever occurs, trainers work hard to lower the risk and cut down the likelihood of a serious injury. When an injury occurs, athletic trainers are equipped with the required procedures. They can perform CPR, stop bleeding, carry out wound care and more. After the initial injury, many athletes must follow a rehab regimen. Depending on the severity of the injury, rehab can last for various lengths of time to return a player to 100%.
“Injuries in athletics are inevitable,” Student Trainer Shyann Sims said. “The Athletic Training program gives our athletes somewhere to get evaluated and treated. We address concerns and regularly ensure that our athletes are safe, comfortable, cleared for play and properly hydrated.”
Ranging from small cuts to concussions and broken bones, trainers have both the knowledge and skills to treat whatever problem may arise. In freshman year, student trainers attend a course where they learn cpr, medical terminology, the muscular and skeletal system, nutrition, injury evaluation and treatment, wound care and much more. Students man the training room during the school day, strive for varsity positions and cover treatments and sports both in the morning and after school. Outside of classes, they cover both sports and the training room to practice skills, guided by both certified athletic trainers.
“I take pride in being able to help an athlete get from the point of injury to the point of return where they get to be back on the field and healthy again,” Bowles said. “But a large part of this job is growing and supporting my students through this program as well.”
Throughout the year, SATs form tight-knit relationships like those in any other sport or organization. Many find life long friends within the group as they integrate into their teams, becoming part of their roster and even traveling during the season. Any injury that may happen, especially on the road, falls onto the shoulders of the presiding student athletic trainer.
“We have a lot of injuries in basketball, it’s a very physical sport,” Mazzy Budd said. “The trainers are the ones who keep our best players on the court.”
