The Garden City Community College Sports Medicine student program took second place overall at the second annual KJCCC Sports Medicine Olympics on April 28 in Hutchinson.
The event included sports medicine programs from multiple Kansas community colleges and
universities.
The GCCC team secured first place in taping and immediate injury care, while placing second in the other three events. The team scored 527.5 out of 600 possible points, narrowly losing the championship spot by four points to Hutchinson Community College.
The KJCCC Sports Medicine Olympics featured five skill events: taping, ace wrapping, wound care, immediate injury care, and anatomy identification. A panel of program directors from the Master of Athletic Training Education programs across Kansas judged the participants on
proficiency and expertise. The event began with engaging sessions during which program directors interacted with students, offering insights into the diverse sports medicine programs available in Kansas.
Allison Griffin, Head Athletic Trainer at GCCC, expressed her enthusiasm for the event,
emphasizing its significance in recognizing the students’ dedication and accomplishments.
“This event is our students’ ‘game day,’ where they can showcase their hard work and expertise learned,” Griffin said. “They work relentlessly behind the scenes of our athletic teams, getting athletes ready for game day. This group exemplifies the values of Garden City Community College and serves as a source of pride for our institution.”
Griffin added that students’ energy, enthusiasm, and passion was unparalleled, and commended their commitment to excellence.
While they may have narrowly missed the championship title, their dedication is unwavering,” she said. “Proud does not even begin to touch how I feel about these young men and women. Win or lose, this is a group that I am blessed to have come through the doors of this program. They are the future of healthcare, and we are lucky to have been a step on their journey.”
The students who competed on the GCCC team include Lily Sanchez, Jelena Milovanovic, Abby Gillen, Dalton Foreman, Hannah Duncan, Isaiah Dixon, Jaelyn Wheaton, Jaylene Hernandez, Jeremiah “Jerry” Houdashelt, Kadence Butteris, Kazuma Narumi, Samanta Orozco, Shawn Dreiling, and Sidney Scruggs.
The GCCC Sports Medicine program offers the opportunity to gain clinical shadowing and
hands-on skills and experience in the field of athletic training.
Students of the program assist the certified athletic trainers in the treatment and care of student athletes across 17 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) teams on campus. Students learn first-aid, emergency care, injury evaluation and treatment techniques, functional anatomy, and much more.
Students provide medical coverage at practices and games and may have the opportunity to travel with our athletic teams to conference, regional, and national events. For more information about the GCCC Sports Medicine program, contact Alli at [email protected].
—
