Have you ever broken a bone, sprained a ligament or sustained a concussion? If you have, chances are that you have collaborated or talked with an athletic trainer. Athletic trainers are highly qualified health care professionals that can help and educate athletes in numerous ways.

March is national athletic trainer month each year. This month highlights the hard work and dedication that these trainers put into making sports a safer environment.

Ms. Gina Garro, one of the athletic trainers at Saint Viator, has always had a love for sports. The Michigan State alumni played sports throughout her high school years and went through knee surgery. When she was studying at Michigan State, she worked with the field hockey team and instantly fell in love with being an athletic trainer.

“What I really love about my job and being an athletic trainer is that every day is something different” said Ms. Garro. “I never know what’s going to happen and I am always looking forward to my next task at hand.”

The other athletic trainer at Saint Viator, Ms. Mary Polley, also fell in love with being an athletic trainer in college.

“When I attended Benedictine University, I never planned on being an athletic trainer,” said Ms. Polley. “But during the first basketball practice of the year, the athletic trainer introduced himself to us and I thought it seemed like an interesting job. I started working in the training room as a student trainer and I instantly loved it.”

Ms. Garro and Ms. Polley also spoke on how they are able to juggle multiple varsity sports each year.

“While it is a little overwhelming with all of the sports, I am able to juggle them all pretty well,” said Ms. Garro. “I deal with the sports that have the most contact first because there is a higher risk for injury here. But, either Mary or I are always present at varsity games and most practices, in case an injury occurs.”

“When there are multiple sports games a night, Ms. Garro and I split up and try to get as much covered as we possibly can” Polley said.

Ms. Garro and Ms. Polley’s role as athletic trainers preseason and postseason are also relatively similar to their in season roles.

“Our jobs preseason and postseason are similar,” said Ms. Garro. “Preseason is obviously more preparation for the season, which includes mandatory concussion testing. If anyone is experiencing pain from any workout during any time of the year, they can come in and ask for help and stretches that can help ease this pain.”

Ms. Garro and Ms. Polley each closed with stressing the importance of sleep for athletes.

“A tired athlete is more prone to injury,” said Ms. Polley.

Ms. Garro also spoke on how stretching for even five to ten minutes before a practice can make an athlete less injury prone.

“High school athletes rarely stretch before and after workouts,” said Ms. Garro. “While everyone has heard it a thousand times, stretching every muscle truly does decrease the chance of injury when playing sports.”

Senior Michaela Mueller, a varsity athlete at Saint Viator in volleyball, basketball and soccer, visits Ms. Garro and Ms. Polley daily.

“Every day, whether it’s before a practice or game, I always go into the trainer’s room to get taped up,” said Mueller. “When I was injured, though, I went in to do rehab with them.”

Mueller also spoke on the importance of having a full time athletic trainer at school.

“Knowing that only one of out every three high schools has an athletic trainer really makes me value our two athletic trainers more,” said Mueller. “Even if an injury doesn’t occur at the game they are at, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all realize the importance of a trainer being present.”

Michaela, who has persevered through multiple injuries during her career, also spoke on the importance of utilizing athletic trainers.

“If someone was to get injured, I would definitely recommend seeing Ms. Garro and Ms. Polley to help you get into rehab so you can recover as quick as possible.” said Mueller. “To try and prevent injuries, I would suggest to always stretch and warm up before working out or playing a sport. Also if anything is bothering you, don’t hesitate to go to the trainers so you don’t risk any future injury.”