An injury while playing high school and college softball led to a career choice for McKensie Hurt.

“I had the same shoulder injury junior year of high school and junior year of college that required surgery,” said McKensie. “The athletic trainers helped me get back in shape so I could play again. When you go through something like that, you want to give back. That is when I knew I wanted to be an athletic trainer, so I could help kids like me get back to playing the sport that they love.”

McKensie started her career in 2016 as an athletic trainer at Columbus East.

“My favorite part is the interaction with the students. I love high school athletes. They are driven and work really hard to get back to their sport,” she said. “It is also cool to see them change from freshman year to senior year. The amount of growth is huge.”

One frustration, McKensie said, is that many people do not understand the complexities of the job. 

“A lot of people just see us as the people who pass out water bottles and give out bandaids,” she said. “But we are healthcare providers. We do full evaluations, injury treatment and rehab.” 

Columbus Regional Health has partnered with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation to become the official provider of sports medicine, athletic training services, and competition coverage for local high school athletics. 

CRH fully pays the salaries of five full-time trainers and one part-time certified athletic trainer who provide daily injury prevention, athletic conditioning, immediate injury care, treatment and return to activity for Columbus North, Columbus East, Hauser, and Columbus Christian schools.

“Student athletes now have medical advocates supervising their training,” said Todd Hostetler, CRH Wellness Manager. “The trainers are able to identify and treat injuries, and get kids back to their sports sooner. Athletes can have longer, better careers with less long-lasting impacts from injuries.”

Athletes also are connected to the full CRH healthcare system if further care is needed. 

Ellyn McIntosh, varsity volleyball coach at East, said she notices the increased focus on student health since graduating from East in 2011. 

“The athletic training program has grown tremendously since I was here. Having two full time trainers is fantastic. They are right here whenever we need them,” Ellyn said. “And when an injury happens they don’t just fix it, they also educate the athletes. The girls leave the room knowing what the issue is, how to fix it and how to prevent it from happening again.”

Ellyn said the program also implemented the use of an app that allows trainers to communicate with coaches, physicians and parents. 

“It has made a big difference. There is no more miscommunication or confusion,” she said. “The messages go directly to the coaches and parents, so we all get the updates and correct information to best help the athlete.”

Columbus North Bull Dogs

Katelynn Cockerham has spent her entire life surrounded by student athletes. Her first job was serving as a water girl for her dad’s high school and college football teams. 

“I knew I wanted to do something with athletics when I grew up because I loved being around athletes,” Katelynn said. “I remember watching this person (the athletic trainer) run in to take care of injuries and I thought that looked pretty cool.”

Today, Katelynn is an athletic trainer at Columbus North High School, and still loves being surrounded by student athletes.

“My favorite part is just interacting with the kids,” she said. “Being able to rehab them and get them back on the field after an injury and seeing the emotion on their faces is the best part.”

Columbus North Sophomore Drew Schiefer is one of the athletes she has helped get back to the field.

“I have had anything from minor injuries like ankle or back problems to more major things like a concussion,” said Drew, who plays varsity football and basketball at North. “They have done a very good job of giving me limitations and boundaries of what I can and can’t do, and also given me exercises or therapy to do to maintain strength and recover faster from injuries. They always make a plan with us to get us on the road to recovery.”

The athletic training department was able to keep Drew’s parents in the loop about his injuries through an app that allows trainers, physicians, coaches and parents to communicate and keep track of injuries.

“Communication is good because when an injury happens the trainer documents that and we can see status and updates on the app. They also can send direct messages through the app, and as a parent, we can ask them questions as well,” said Staci Schiefer, Drew’s mom. “We feel like the trainers do a nice job of treating the symptoms that athletes have and get them on a path to being full strength again. They are well trained and they can assist with anything from minor to major things that happen in any sport. They are also very helpful to direct you to a doctor that can help athletes further when needed.”

Rick Sluder, Columbus North head boys and girls cross country and track coach said the athletic trainers are a vital part of his program.