[Editor’s Note: The writer is a certified athletic trainer at Culver City High School.]
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Junior Madeline Parrales demonstrates how to take blood pressure.
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Senior Vania Donis impressed when taping arches.
Culver City High School’s sports medicine team recently took first place at the annual High School Sports Medicine Competition, hosted by St. Francis High School.
The largest competition of its type, this prestigious event brings together students from across California to test their knowledge in the specialization field of Sports Medicine/Athletic Training. The event included teams from the state of Washington and Kansas.
Twenty-two students in my Sports Medicine class competed with 36 other schools. More than 700 students participated. They were tested on their knowledge of the knee, with a 100-question written examination, in addition to a practical examination that consisted of the students demonstrating CPR and first-aid procedures, taping techniques, anatomy identification, and range of motion/stress- testing used for bones, muscles and ligaments.
Awards were given to the top five competitors in each division.
Rookie Division (500 students):
1st place: Jasmine Dimeo
3rd place: Chloe Green
Advanced Division (200 students):
2nd place: Krystal Silva
3rd place: Sydney Ochoa Patino
4th place: Cassandra Garcia
5th place: Vania Donis
The students studied hard for the competition, sacrificing their Saturdays and even taking time during Spring Break.
Here is a quick summary about the sports medicine program:
The Regional Occupational Program (ROP) at Culver City High School provides high-quality career preparation classes and services to prepare students for successful careers in response to the needs of local labor market.
Sports Therapy educates students in the principles of sports injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The course includes instruction in human anatomy, biological sciences, training in first-aid, CPR, nutrition, exercise physiology, injury care and management. An upper level, college credit, Sports Medicine class also is offered.
The Culver High Sports Medicine program gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the Sports Therapy class to on-the-job situations. They have the opportunity to become student athletic trainers, in which they provide medical coverage for the Culver High athletic teams, under my direct supervision as a certified athletic trainer. All student athletic trainers are trained in CPR and first-aid, along with emergency procedures, taping procedures, and rehabilitation techniques. These student athletic trainers volunteer their time at all home and away athletic events.
The ROP Sports Therapy Class students and the student athletic trainers in the Sports Medicine program are an important part of everyday school safety at the school. These students have assisted in helping other students in emergency situations such as choking, head injuries, and even seizures on campus. These students have assisted in the Culver City community with helping victims of heart attacks, diabetic shock, and car accidents to name a few.
Mr. White may be contacted at MarcosWhite@ccusd.org
