Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2007)
10 February 20^7 Imp/iCT S tudecits p Tedious injuries can be prevented; health risks remain part of game C hristopher E rbin Staff Reporter Injury; It is the single most threatening word to student athletes and their teams. While high school competitors may not fear injury, post injury rehabilitation is taken seriously because it takes much longer than people expect it to. Players end up missing playing time, and their role in high school sports is often restricted to the sidelines. Nearly 7.2 million teenagers across America take part in high school sports competitions to demonstrate their athleticism and determination and, more than anything, to do what they love and excel at. However, a recent increase in pressures brought on by school, friends and family correlates with a significant increase in injuries among high school athletes who are pushing themselves e n T s ¡C i m w # TLJCDC i n cn c TOO mUCH PRESSURE IH Annie Oetken, a little too far. In some cases, these injuries result in the termination of the athlete's season, or the injury may even end a player's athletic career. According to a study conducted at Ohio State University, in the 05-06 school year, nearly two million high school sports-related injuries resulted in 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 visits to the hospital. Studies done by the university show that certain types of injuries occur much more frequently than others and are often a result of athletes overworking themselves without taking the necessary precautions. By far the most frequently occurring injuries are those classified as sprains and strains, injuries that can often be prevented if athletes stretch out for 15 minutes before their activity. The Ohio State study also showed that an insignificant percentage of these injuries occurred during competition. Most occurred during practice. Many doctors at the university have come to the conclusion that practice- related injuries are the result of athletes failing to warm up and overstraining in the early stages of practice. "It is so hard just sitting there and watching other people warm up and mentally prepare for the game when all you can do is support them from the sidelines," Kellie Trafton, sophomore soccer player, said of the injury she suffered this fall. The second and third leading causes of injury are concussion/contusion and fractures. These kinds of injuries often occur during competition when athletes are fiercely engaged in the game. Still, appropriate equipment and other precautions could help prevent competition- related injuries. A knee brace may not prevent a basketball player from diving for a loose ball or driving hard to the hoop to get to the free throw line, but it may reduce the damaging impact of risky maneuvers. "So far, the ankle braces that the basketball coaches recommend have really served their purpose. Last year, I was on crutches for about three weeks because of a bad ankle sprain and they have prevented any major injuries this year," Alex Frye, freshman. Among the nine sports tested at Ohio State, football piled up the highest number of injuries with an average 12 percent of players sidelined for the year due to serious injury. Soccer was the leading injury culprit for girls' sports and an Off average leave time for injured players. Baseball and softball rounded out the bottom of the injury chart, averaging only two Cam ps, w eight lil player injuries over a period of and op en field two weeks or more. athlete's off-seasc The Lions have had their have a longer o fare share of sports-related a regular season injuries, including accidents more tim e to w or that have sidelined competitors to get bigger, faster for significant periods of time. especially during w hen school w or Zach Sramek, sophomore, was the way. entering his first year on the Varsity Football Team when he Reed N icholson, injured himself during practice. basketball and b He was leg-whipped which sports include im resulted in a broken femur. m er training and Sramek was sidelined for three tic ip a tio n in si months and supported his leagues.Sum m er teammates from the bench for sports have no j the rest of the season. only games. "It sucks because you are "When there is ovc Kyle Kraus, junior, is one of many working hard and nothing baseball and bask student athletes who have suffered feels like it's getting better," nate. The coaches long - term sport injuries. Kraus was said Sramek of his injury. they have a lot o j sidelined with tom tendons in his both," N icholson ankle when he sprained it last winter Sramek is now healing well and continuing rehabilitation. N icholson believ during off - season training. the m ost importar Photo by Cole Fiala Despite his disappointment with season training fo this football season, Sramek average of three players fell to looks forward to competing next plays and that s the sidelines over the course season. He is also a member of more relaxed am of the season. These numbers, the Varsity Wrestling Team and "It helps you work however small they are, could plans to compete in track later in your gam e. Pec affect team's success since playing tim e, so this spring. injuries predominately affected N icholson said. The studies conducted at team starters and go-to players. Ohio State U niver^v show "I beleive the off Wrestling was the only s that although son A thletes m ost im portant t in which teams lost nearly as will sustain competition-related ers to im prove th many athletes to competition- injuries due to the nature of skills," D avid E related as practice injuries. competitive sports, many sports boys basketball c It also racked up the longest injuries can be prevented. The basketball te Athletes can make a conscious gym tim e to shoo effort to warm up prior to ing the year and practice or a game, and they can an overnight c am include yoga, recreational suit up with the appropriate U niversity every options. volleyball, various forms of equipment. Along with basketball, dance such as belly dancing, there are girls and boys as well as recreational intramural tennis leagues. lacrosse, Irish dance, These were started last beginning snowshoeing, year by Jam ie LeVeque, gives stud ents. recreational soccer and Intramural Sports HlLLLARY K r IPPAEHNE & Him C i AVARELLO and stay out of beginning and advanced Coordinator. Staff Reporters "It (sp0rts) k canoeing. Most community Intramural sports are not classes cost approximately Sports plays a big role in doing other thi shouldn't," Gray Sc $45-60 and run for two to some student's lives, as they During team pr; three months. find themselves running from competitions, althl Golf courses abound in practice to practice and staying together and push the Portland area, but a day up late to finish assignments. at the greens can be costly, Students are feeling the pressure. to perform. Whitni senior, cites her tri] unless your visit is with a Callan Gray, freshman, plays with the Cross Coi member, or you visit one of both basketball and volleyball. when teammates I the public golf courses in the The two seasons overlap and succeed by offerin' area. are played year round except for providing motivat To escape the pressures two months during the summer. "My favorite thi the only option. Athletes while still playing, getting Her typical afternoon includes sports is working \ can train individually or a group of friends together school, one practice, another my teammates," H participate in recreational to play football, basketball practice and then homework Injuries also ad( leagues or classes. or frisbee is a good way to until late into the night. Gray for athletes. Sprair Bike riding is a popular release stress while having enjoys her busy schedule and tom muscles and 1 activity in Oregon, as fun. uses it to her advantage. can have a major I Portland is touted as the "Playing in the Portland "Yeah, I love playing sports bike-friendliest city in Futsal (like indoor soccer) and it keeps me busy," Gray said. Playing more than may become impo America. It is also one league is great exercise, Although Gray likes the busy physical therapy a activity that doesn't require keeps you in shape, gets you aspect of sports, she doesn't like become a major ot a fee to participate. Others out of the house, is fun and the time consuming part. the habitually bus; include jogging, hiking, you get to meet new people,” "Sometimes (sports) interfere Harmon, who plaj walking, swimming and Wind Lothamer, technology with my social and homework sports in the same outdoor rock climbing. teacher, said. "You also get time," Gray said. country and soccei The City of West Linn to show how awesome you Sports can be a great social her high school ca: offers low-cost community are, work on your skills outlet too. Athletes can make had to cut back be education classes and sports and improve your ability a ^ friends and bond j^ e r common injury. camps. Current offerings 7 interests. Being a ^SIt of a team player.' 3 Non-competitive sports options open A lex Vermillion, ’ freshman sports it's just trying to prepare you for whicn is really Lritense.lti mmmmmam ft * w "No, I enjoy being completely stressed out." Competition makes a sport challenging. Team practices, additional training, mental preparation; the whole purpose is to beat the opposition. However, some athletes find that less competition is more fun and more relaxing. "Non-competitive sports are less stressful, and more fun," Christina Letsou, freshman, said. So where does a person find sports activities that don't have the pressure of intense competition? One place is intramural sports in school or private leagues. Intramural basketball at West Linn is in its current season with both boys and girls teams. "We have two girls teams this year. We're hoping to have our two teams grow so maybe next year we have three or four," Rob Holstrom, Athletic Director said. The no-cut policy which made multiple junior varsity sports teams possible were cut due to funding and facility scheduling problems according to Holstrom. This left students who enjoyed the less-competitive school teams to look for other Demanding sports c
