Aptos High Sports Medicine: 200 Grads

COMMUNITY NEWS Aptos High Sports Medicine: 200 Grads

In the fall of 1990, under the direction of newly-minted Head Athletic Trainer Diana Roberts and Athletic Director Mark Dorfman, and with the support and guidance of Dr. Joe Fogel, Aptos High started the first Student Athletic Training Program in Santa Cruz County.

Since then, more than 200 students have participated in the program, and 97% of the participants have gone on to 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. In addition, subsequently, every high school ASK in the county has established their own student athletic training program.

Four Aptos High students, Abel Corona, Suzanne Dunbar, Carrie Helber, and Trish Van Lanen gambled and enrolled in the new program in fall 1990.

To prepare them for their new class and responsibilities, Mark Dorfman drove the four students to Los Angeles over the summer, where they took a threeday athletic training seminar at UC Irvine. The students stayed in the dorms and attended three days of lectures and workshops, including CPR certification.

Once back in Aptos, the four helped Diana Roberts in the Athletic Training Room and on the sidelines of games and practices, taping, icing, and hydrating athletes, all under her watchful eye.

All four matriculated to college. Abel graduated from UC Davis, Suzanne from Seattle Pacific University, Carrie from CSU Long Beach, and Trish from San Francisco State (where she played volleyball for four years).

Suzanne and Carrie continued as trainers at their respective colleges, and Suzanne also got a job as an aide at Adams and Schmidt Physical Therapy in Capitola. These four were the groundbreakers in a groundbreaking program.

Today, Abel is a dental hygienist, Suzanne is in senior management for a cardiac management program for doctors and medical clinics, Carrie works in management at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA, and Trish is an accountant. Three out of four into the medical field. Maybe not a grand slam, but definitely a triple.

The program has grown and thrived, and the Aptos Student Athletic Training Program has seen its students attend colleges and universities all over the state and the nation, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, CalPoly SLO, San Francisco State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Fresno State, Chico State, Arizona State, the University of Maine, the University of Washington, the University of San Diego, Boise State University, Santa Clara University, Mills College, St. Mary’s College, University of San Francisco, and many more.

Like Abel, Suzanne, and Carrie, many of the graduates stayed in the health field, becoming doctors, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, X-ray technicians, and athletic trainers.

It’s not a program for the faint of heart.

In addition to working in the training room after the school day ends, the student trainers also work the sidelines at afternoon and evening practices and games throughout the week, including Saturdays.

“Sports Medicine” page 9

Photo Credit: Denise Russo Photography Student trainers (from left): Bottom — Alia Gonzalez, Jaylen Dang, Anthony Smith, and Guin Lines. • Top — Jillian Weisner, Nadia RamirezCerrillos, Riley Carrera, Lexiss Herrera, and Leyla Martinez.

Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Dec 3 & 4 - Noon to 9pm