Sports med students showcased their skills and knowledge at this year’s annual Washington Career and Technical Sports Medicine Association State Competition. The competition took place in Tacoma on on April 14-15, 2017. The competition featured nearly 50 schools and 800 students.

Students take both written and practical tests to prove their skills. They also compete in a Sports Medicine category that includes oral exams, tests of terminology, anatomy, and exercise physiology. There are also other events such as JV quiz bowl, program application, and taping competition. Not only was the competition a place to show off skills, but it was also a way to improve personally. “I got closer with a few people in the sports med program at our school and helped me figure out what I could do better, organization wise, now that I’m on the state board,” sophomore Ashley Gold said.  

A total of 14 students competed as varsity and WHS placed 2nd, extending their state record streak for 23 years in the top four. In the sports med division all six members individually placed in the top 15– Kyle Turner 2nd, Grant Kolde 3rd, Maria Robles 6th, Courtney Grimm 11th, Shea Frantz 13th, and Sabrina Zhu 15th. Jacob Barnwell placed 5th in the CPR competition.

Collectively, nearly 200 competed at JV level. From WHS both Alex Albert and Cole Hansen placed in the top 5 of the JV competition out of nearly 200 competitors. Kara Richards and Ashley Gold were selected to the 2017-2018 WCTSMA State Student Leadership Board. Additionally WHS  won the quiz bowl competition with team members Mally Morgan, Matthew Vanderpool, Jordan Hartley, Alex Albert, and Ethan Taylor.

WHS team returned happy with the results and the opportunity. “Sports medicine has been a life changing experience in a way because it made me realize what career path I want to follow when I get older,” Gold said.