Athletic training and sports medicine is one of the 25 student sports and club athletic programs offered at Round Rock ISD high schools.
The course trains students in sports medicine-related careers, prevention of athletic injuries, recognition, evaluation, immediate care of athletic injuries, rehabilitation, management skills, and taping and wrapping techniques. In addition, students learn first aid, emergency procedures, nutrition, sports psychology, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and therapeutic exercise.
“We expect a high level of professionalism from our students,” said Xander Keller McNeil High School athletic trainer. “If a student is interested in pursuing a career in the health care field, athletic training and sports medicine is one of the only programs with hands-on experience.”
With supervision, student athletic trainers are on the field and court of every football and UIL game, restocking medical kits, prepping water stations, maintaining the emergency equipment, and taping or treating their fellow student-athletes injuries.
“The hands-on application and physicality of the program offer students who may not do as well in a traditional classroom setting the opportunity to flourish and gain confidence,” said Maggie Florez-Cook, McNeil High School athletic trainer. “Similarly, the health sciences students learning medical terminology gain a real-world, hands-on understanding of what they’re learning in the classroom.”
The school’s football players are the primary benefactors of the student athletic trainer’s skills. In the Spring, the athletic trainers arrive at school at 6:30 a.m. to learn and practice player injury care with the football team. In the Fall, athletic trainers attend football practices and games, ready to assist players or band members who may need an injury or wound care. After the football season, trainers regularly attend home games and travel to away games with the school’s other UIL teams, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc. With supervision, student athletic trainers treat about 10-15 players during a regular practice. At a Varsity game, they can expect to help 20 to 30 players.
Each year, McNeil High School hosts the largest cross-county meet in the State of Texas. In 2022, the event attracted over 5,000 runners, and in previous years have drawn more than 6,800 cross-country athletes. The McNeil High School athletic trainer and sports medicine team pop up a full-functioning medical unit in the park at the meet. While supervised, student athletic trainers garner real-world experience in emergency medicine, including treating dehydration, wound care, and taking vitals.
The athletic training and sports medicine program allows students to earn their letter and graduation chord. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to talk to their school athletic trainer or make an appointment with their counselor.
Cedar Ridge High School Athletic Training, Candle Carmichael and Matt Owens
McNeil High School Athletic Training, Maggie Florez-Cook and Xander Keller
Round Rock High School, Bryce Cooley and Nikki Vincent
Stony Point High School, Brooke Kneuper and Salvador Flores
Westwood High School, John Horsley and Susan Slagle
