By: Hayden Bunce – Staff Writer
With our various sports teams at Mills High School, an athletic trainer on sight is necessary to prevent injuries of Mills players. Since the school is constantly hiring new staff members, this year the trainer position is now given to newcomer Johnnie Walton. While those who are in sports probably know what an athletic trainer is, those who don’t understand sports might not.
Anyone may think that being an athletic trainer has to do with something along the lines of helping athletes weight lift or even train for their sport. However, that is not the case. “The profession of athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic sports injuries. In short, I provide sports medicine services to the student-athletes here at Mills,” Walton states. “When someone gets hurt while practicing or competing in a game, I help triage the injury and assist with the rehabilitation process to get the athlete back healthy. I also provide prophylactic taping and wrapping that aids in the prevention of injury.” Student’s physical health is very important so they can continue to play the sport they love without getting any game-threatening injuries. When parents take their children to school their hope is that their child’s safety is accounted for and that feeling could be heightened with parents of sports players.
When the administration considers hiring for schools, it ensures that the candidates are the best of the best, and it seems they hit it out of the park with this hire. A person’s experience in a job can determine possibly their skill in the job field. As seen here, Walton states, “I have been practicing as an athletic trainer for the past 4 years but not for a school prior to coming aboard at Mills. I have previously worked for a chiropractic and physical therapy clinic, assisting with rehabilitation from sport-related injuries and with industrial companies developing injury prevention programs and triage of work-related injuries.” With this level of experience, it’s very reassuring that the administration hired someone who isn’t going to let your child go home without medical care if needed. Walton’s experience isn’t only at industrial companies. Walton states, “However, I have worked in a few high schools and Division 1 colleges as a student athletic trainer during my graduate program.” With Walton’s level of experience, it seems that Mills athletes are in great hands.
It’s important to make new people feel welcome in a new environment. Whether you are a student-athlete, teacher, or even just a student, say thank you or have a friendly demeanor. It’s especially important to thank those who want to help you succeed. So with this, if you are to run into the new athletic trainer, Johnnie Walton, show your appreciation.
