Junior Clara Tedford, a member of the CKHS Sports Medicine team, said people should be more aware of the work they do. “We are kind of the backbone of the football team and no one really knows it. We dedicate more time in our day to keep these boys healthy than most people would believe.”

Behind the players and the coaches of the CKHS football team stand a team of hardworking and dedicated people, and this year it happens to be all girls. “It’s like a daily ritual, going to the training room every day after school and preparing all of the supplies needed for daily a football practice,” said Tedford. A group of six to seven girls on the Sports Medicine team meet in the fitness center training room every day after school to tape, wrap, stretch, or do anything that is needed to improve and help an athlete’s health.

“We have the regulars that are always coming in for their health and performance needs and we are always happy to help,” said junior Rozelle Rubio, a new member of the Sports Medicine team. “I look forward to aiding our athletes; I even come in on Saturdays for rehab to help out Mr. Ahlstrom, our Sports Medicine teacher, with putting the players through rehabilitation exercises.” Rubio wants to pursue an education in the medical field, so she is always looking for opportunities to gain more experience, even if they call her to school early in the morning on weekends.

 When asked what a normal day looks like in Sports Med, Tedford answered, “We do whatever Mr. Ahlstrom needs us to do in preparation for practice, like fill jugs with ice for the water carts on the field, clean and sanitize the tables and whirlpools, stock med supplies, and tape and wrap athletes for whatever they need.”  After finishing these tasks in the training room, the girls head up to the field to watch practice in case anyone gets hurt. If a player goes down on the field or needs any kind of medical attention, the team is there for them. “We don’t like seeing anyone get hurt, but it’s always exciting to help them when they do. That’s one of the fun parts about our job,” said Rubio.

 After practice ends, the Sports Med team heads back to the training room for the after-practice help, which consists of ice baths, ice bags, and cutting off all of the tape applied to the players earlier at the start of practice. “At first it was overwhelming in the training room after practice ended because of how many guys came in for help, but now we’re always ready and are efficient at making sure everyone gets what they need,” said Tedford. The Sports Med team sees a lot of what goes on within the football team and coaches, so they know what to expect and how to deal with whatever comes their way.

After a grueling week of football practice, it’s game day. “This is the best part of spending all of those grueling hours with the team,” said Rubio. On game day, the Sports Med team gets everything ready to go in the training room and loads it all into Ahlstrom’s truck. Ahlstrom is always there with the girls making sure that everything is done and nothing is forgotten. “I love my job and working with all of the athletes, even though some of them can be a little stubborn,” said Ahlstrom in the training room.

At football games, the girls are suited up and ready to go with their hip packs and blood bags strapped on, ready for anything that comes their way. “We are always behind the scenes so no one really gets to see how much we do for the team, but it’s worth it, we gain so much knowledge and experience from doing our job so we’re not complaining,” said Tedford. During the duration of the football game, the girls are on their toes and watching for any injuries and making sure that all of the players stay hydrated throughout the game.

”I’m so glad that I found Sports Med! These girls are some of the most genuine that I’ve met and being a part of this is something to be proud of,” said Tedford.