Being an athlete requires students to be in incredible shape and stay in peak physical health, which is why it is essential to have medical personnel and trainers to help players through injuries. The school’s athletic trainer, Jacob Brownback, is constantly working to help athletes perform at their highest levels. Brownback’s responsibilities range from taping athletes before practices to filling out paperwork and keeping track of player injuries. “Practice and games are only a very small part of being an athlete,” Brownback said.

“I think a lot of this stuff is a prep toward after school practices and activities and events. Documentation is a big thing in the health industry. Making sure that we’re all caught up on injuries and what those look like, checking in with coaches and making sure they know who’s available.”

Brownback works with every sports team at the school, and students like senior cross country runner Jordan Schierbaum see him for cupping and taping. “I go once every three weeks or so to get a cupping,” Schierbaum said.

“I’ve always had a lot of little nicks, but he gives me stretches and exercises to recover from those. If I’m suffering from blisters, he’ll get those bandaged and make sure that those are not hurting while I’m running.”

Being the only athletic trainer at the school means Brownback has become very popular with the school’s athletes. Students, such as Schierbaum, like how Brownback builds relationships with the athletes who visit him.

“Having a professional eye on what you’re going through is really nice to have because you need to determine how long you’re going to be out,” Schierbaum said.

“[Brownback is]a great guy. He’s a good guy to be around, and he does a lot for the school’s athletics programs. I appreciate him a lot.”