It Happened in Crawford County: Dr. Wagner, part 2
Dr. Ryan Wagner, part II
Dr. Ryan Wagner’s goal was to help local schools acquire athletic trainers for the athletes, and to work directly with them. The program was put in place as the Avita Center for Sports Health and contracts with 15 area high schools.
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to care for athletes. They must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited program. After degree completion, they must pass a Board of Certification exam before practicing. In the State of Ohio, along with 46 other states, athletic trainers must obtain licensure. BOC-certified athletic trainers are educated, trained and evaluated in five major practice domains: prevention; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; treatment and rehabilitation; organization and professional health and well-being. The trainer is not a physical therapist, their specialty is diagnosing conditions and treating them on the sidelines at the school events
Avita’s athletic trainers are:
• Amy Betts, athletic trainer at Buckeye Central, a certified athletic trainer. She teaches physical science, chemistry and advanced chemistry. She has three daughters, enjoys running and shopping. Her goals include attending the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, visiting every hockey arena in every state, and attending the Olympics in the USA.
• Haley Lykins, athletic trainer at Crestline Village Schools, has a high interest in injury prevention, is certified in Functional Movement Screen (FMS- Level 1). She has her Master of Science in Athletic Training from Indiana Wesleyan University. She participated in cross country and track and field at Shawnee State University and enjoys hiking and camping. Haley is a member of Ohio Volée running team and would like to run a race in all 50 states.
• Jon Vitello, athletic trainer at Galion Schools, a seasoned athletic trainer, has worked with six different schools, big and small, and at the collegiate level with Mount Union Football team. Two of their players went on to the NFL. He has a son Gideon and his favorite sport is watching hockey, a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins. His wife, Heather, is also an athletic trainer and physical therapy assistant.
Athletic trainers under the Avita program, but not in Crawford County:
• Jamieson Giefer, athletic trainer at Clear Fork Schools, an athletic trainer for 28 years, has worked with the Columbus Destroyers Professional Arena Football League.
• Jared Ruffing, athletic trainer at Seneca East Local Schools, a certified athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), USAW sports performance coach-L1 (USAW-L1), and a CrossFit Level 2 trainer (CF-L2).
• Dan Pfeffer, athletic trainer at Ridgedale Local Schools, has a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training from Otterbein.
• Jonathan Sallee, athletic trainer at OSU-Mansfield Mavericks, has participated in an internship with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT);
• Rob Pfeifer, athletic trainer at Ontario Local Schools, has completed a Naval Academy internship. He previously held a G.A. position at Central Michigan University, where he completed his Master of Arts in Sports Administration.
• Kris Veverka, athletic trainer at Mansfield Christian and Saint Peters School, has worked with Division I and II collegiate athletics.
• Nicole Howe, athletic trainer at Lucas Local Schools, a certified athletic trainer, certified in Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and has worked the Chicago Marathon in the past.
• Spencer Boggs, athletic trainer at Crestview High School, a certified athletic trainer, also certified in Functional Movement Screen (FMS). When it comes to athletic training, Spencer enjoys running medicine.
Sandra Bricker, athletic trainer at Plymouth Local Schools, one of the original athletic trainers who covered the high school setting in the State of Ohio and loves sharing her experiences as an athletic trainer. She is also a licensed teacher in the State of Ohio.
• Kyle Groves, athletic trainer at Mohawk Local Schools was a “Warrior of the Week” recipient in January 2018. Kyle enjoys evaluating the shoulder.
• Samantha Kelley, athletic trainer at River Valley Local Schools, is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Health Science from Saint Augustine University.
• Matt Cantrell, athletic trainer at Marion Pleasant Local Schools, a certified kinesio taping practioner and coordinator of CPR classes for contracted schools.
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