Friday, September 20, 2024
LAKE WORTH — Lake Worth High School has seen expedient growth in its sports medicine program this school year, going from six students to 30.
Head athletic trainer Nyja Rushing accredits the program's growth through word of mouth and the passion students have for athletic training. Students participated in workshops over the summer to gear up for the upcoming season.
“We started with maybe six that were coming out during the summer,” Rushing said. “We ended up getting 20 by the end of summer, it was all volunteer, they didn't have to be out there. Then, we got 10 more the first few weeks of school.”
The sports medicine program lets the students be the extra hands, eyes and ears for Certified Athletic Trainers. Students work along with ATs to administer hydration, first-aid and preventative taping during practices and games.
Because of the growth of the program, the school tripled the program’s budget. Luckily, support for the program was easily obtained by the admin, even all the way up to the superintendent, this year due to the increase in growth.
Rushing said the students' drive and passion stood out to her because of the difficulty getting students to get involved.
“It's very hard to find students who want to be here,” Rushing said. “Their drive and their passion, I absolutely love it. They want to be the best and that shows on Friday nights.”
Rushing said that even referees have complimented her students at football games.
“Both home games we’ve had, the refs have said ‘This is the best group of trainers we’ve had,’” Rushing said. “That dedication and drive shows on Friday nights.”
Students in the program range from freshman all the way to seniors. Rushing said 85% of the students in the program are also athletes themselves.
The program works with Dr. Curtis Bush at Texas Orthopaedic Associates and with Baylor Scott & White in Lake Worth. The teachers in the program use the curriculum “Concepts of Athletic training” for the lecture classes.
Six weeks into the semester, Rushing said the biggest lesson the students in the program have learned is the importance of coming to the training room and getting help from trainers
“We are here at six o’clock in the morning, every day,” Rushing said. “We’re here for you. You can come to the training room, you can see us, we will help you in whatever way we see fit.”
About 85% of the students at Lake Worth High School are below the poverty line, according to U.S. News and World Report. Rushing emphasizes this program is an outlet for the students.
“A lot of our kids, this all they kind of have,” Rushing said. “A lot of them, this is their gateway to college. This is a big motivator for them.”
Daniela Pio is a senior and a “head of staff” in the program. She got in touch with the coach over the summer and started telling her friends about the program.
“I started telling my friends that wanted to be trainers if they weren’t doing anything I was like ‘Hey, come be a trainer, it's fun.’” Pio said.
Daniela said the overall help has been the biggest difference this year because so many more students are in the program.
“Everything gets done really fast, especially during scrimmages,” Pio said. “We cleaned everything in 10 minutes, it usually took us 30 minutes to clean everything after a game.”
Daniela’s biggest goal is to be CPR certified by the end of this year, to grow as an individual — and to grow the program.
“I want to grow as a person and grow the program,” Pio said. “I want more people to come. I just want the program to be better and bigger for next year.”
Daniela revealed that her sister, an exercise therapist who also went through the sports medicine progam at LWHS, is her biggest inspiration. At the time Daniela’s sister was in the program, there were only a few girls and no male students.
Daniela said traveling together is fun and provides lots of laughs. She and Rushing shared a memorable story when they all traveled together for the first scrimmage, which to their surprise was the next day. But they made the most of the trip by stopping at Buc-ee's.
Rushing appreciates that she has a great group of kids this year in the program.
“Honestly, I could not have asked for a better group of kids,” Rushing said. “The only thing they lack is the knowledge and that can be taught.”
