Training for the future
Medical skills teacher Erika Miller shows athletic trainer Kari Clark how to unwrap an athlete’s foot in the weight room on Nov. 3. Miller trains students to become athletic trainers for the school’s athletes. NAUDIA MCDANIEL | SNN
By ANTHONY NIEMEIER AND JALEN MIDDLETON
SNN Staff Writer
Either on the field or on the sidelines Lakewood High’s student athletic trainers are getting hands-on experience working with Spartan athletes.
“We train and practice out in the field. You learn more out on the field than you do in class,” said freshman Jayda Watts, who worked with the junior varsity football team this fall.
Student athletic training coach Erika Miller said students who want to be athletic trainers must meet certain prerequisites or qualifications. They must fill out an application, get two letters of recommendation and have and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher with a good discipline record, meaning no suspensions or referrals.
“I think it’s just something that looks good on an application or resume,” senior athletic trainer Olivia Gibson said.
Trainers are assigned to work with a sports team and once assigned they are required to attend at least one practice a week and must be at every game, Miller said.
“I just enjoy all the things Ms. Erika can teach to us,” senior athletic trainer Kari Clark said.
Athletic trainers must complete basic first aid, and they must undergo CPR training before officially becoming a student athletic trainer. They also learn proper bandaging for different injuries and how to help players put on protective padding and bring water to them.
“They provide a tremendous amount of assistance and are an important part of each team,” Miller said.
Currently there are 14 athletic trainers who cover all sports at Lakewood. But Miller said she is always interested in having more sign up. They meet at sport team’s practices and once a month during lunch break.
“I wanted to be an athletic trainer because it gives me something to do outside of school on Thursdays and it looked fun,” Watts said.
Seniors Kari Clark and Emily Williams fill water bottles at the football game against Northeast High School on Nov. 7. Clark and Williams are athletic trainers. NAUDIA MCDANIEL | SNN