- November 23, 2024
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Being a sports journalist can lead to long days and long nights. It means working weekends and holidays.
But, the people who are writing the stories aren’t the only ones who spend a lot of time on the fields and the courts.
The athletic trainers spend more time on campus than anyone — including players and coaches. In fact, it’s probably not even close.
And so, with March being National Athletic Trainer Month, it’s time everyone gives Flagler’s group of hardworking individuals the recognition it deserves.
At Flagler Palm Coast, Grace Iorio leads the way as head athletic trainer. It’s her first year at FPC. She has student athletic trainers, too: Tori Giaccone, Janelle Velasquez, Nimshie Henry and Courtney Williams.
At Matanzas, Kevin Robinson is the head athletic trainer. He has been at Matanzas since January 2012, and he has six student athletic trainers helping him: Trevin Gibson, Tselote Holley, Braeden Ward, Zachary Gonzales, Dakota Manford, Jessica Casanova and Shelbie Miller.
Practically every issue, the names mentioned in the newspaper are the players and coaches of the teams. They are on the field performing, scoring goals, making baskets, hitting home runs or calling the plays.
But if not for athletic trainers, some (probably many) of the student-athletes many not even be on the field.
“It can seem like a thankless job, but you have to think about why you signed up to do it,” Iorio said. “For me, that’s the chance to be around sports and work with highly motivated people. Athletic training is unique because the clients (athletes) want to get better, and they will do anything you tell them will get them back on the field. We get to be with them from the onset of injury, through all the doctor appointments and rehab sessions, and it’s great when you finally see their hard work pay off in their return to play.”
Added Robinson: “(This is a) great group who have really set the pace and high standards for incoming student athletic trainers.”
Have another idea for a column? Email andrew@palmcoast observer.com.
