AHS sports medicine team competes at state tournament

Arlington High School’s Sports Medicine team competed with schools from across Washington as they participated in the state tournament in April.

For students in the club it was the first time they had gone to the state tournament.

“It was our first tournament in 10 years and we participated in a couple of different events,” said Dakota Braun, president of the club.

Students took part in a competition involved in the anatomy program Anatomage.

“We had to name the different bones, muscles and ligaments in a certain amount of time,” said Braun.

Arlington High School’s club made it to the semi-finals for the Anatomage competition, placing top 8 in the state.

For all the other tests they placed 15th in the state.

Instructor Nicole Roskelley said for the students' first competition they made it pretty far.

“So I’m really proud of them,” she said.

Students said they were happy to get a chance to compete in the state tournament this year.

The club was going to participate in last year’s tournament but that event had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was personally very excited,” said Maria Ostap, vice-president of the club. “The event was online but we all came together in the same classroom so we all had that support,” she said.

Club member Eva Mullins also said she was excited to be a part of the competition.

“We had spectated the tournament in previous years but we had never participated,” she said.

Club member Kathy Kannathip said it was “nerve-wracking,” but that it was a positive experience still.

“It felt good competing against the other schools,” she said.

Many club members said they enjoyed being part of the club.

“I think it is really interesting because I want to be a physical therapist when I grow up,” said club member Elisha Ostap.

Arlington High School student Paige Richards said she was interested when she learned there was a club for sports medicine at the school.

“I grew up knowing a lot about sports medicine already because of my mom who is a physical therapist,” she said.

The camaraderie between the cub members and the teamwork was also something that club members enjoyed.

“We all get along and work really well with each other,” said Maria Ostap.

She said she hopes to compete again next year.

“I’m really looking forward to next year because it will be an in-person competition,” she said.