Eye on Health: Athletic Trainers - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Eye on Health: Athletic Trainers

It was a big weekend in Minot, with some of the state's top high school athletes in town for the State Class "B" boys basketball tournament.

It was also a busy time for the athletic trainers who make sure the players, and fans have any health assistance they may need.

Carla Burbidge has this week's Eye on Health.

As the fans stream through the doors at the state Class B boys basketball tournament, and the ticket takers collect the admission fee - preparations are underway on the court.

(Hello my name is Barb, I'm the athletic trainer)

Barb Nesheim is one part of the team at Trinity Sports Medicine.

She is a certificated athletic trainers.

She says during a tournament of this size and importance, there are two athletic trainers, plus Sport Medicine specialist, Dr. Dawn Mattern, present at ever game.

(Barb Nesheim, Athletic Trainer) "If anything happens, we like to think that we can provide the best care, we want the trip to the state "B" to be a healthy and happy one."

Sometimes it's taping ankles and relativity simple jobs for the athletes.

It could be something more serious like a broken bone, or a concussion.

And it could even be a health problem among the crowd.

(Barb Nesheim, Athletic Trainer) "We have had this tournament many times, and we have traveled with teams to other state tournaments, we like to think we have everything set up well."

During the sports season, you will see the Trinity athletic trainers at most all the area college and high schools games, in most every sport.

They contract with the schools to be at the games, and follow up with the athletes when there's an injury.

They get to know the local athletes well.

The state B is added challenge, but one they gladly take on.

And until they are needed during the game, they get a front row seat for some great class B basketball.

For Eye on Health I'm Carla Burbidge.