Athletic Trainers Save the Day (and a Life!) at Track and Field Championship

During the Washington state track and field championships, Eisenhower high school Athletic Trainers Joel Buffum and Josh Holliday acted swiftly to prevent a tragedy. When a Napavine runner collapsed after her team's 4x100 relay, the ATs immediately sprang into action. Despite the stunned onlookers, they performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive the athlete before paramedics arrived.

The meet director, Scott Wells, commended the trainers for their calm and determined response:

“It was the most disturbing and eerie thing to be in a stadium filled with students and adults and it was silent,” Wells said. “I’ve never seen more confident and competent calm in two athletic trainers.”

The prompt use of the AED within a minute of the collapse significantly increased the runner's chances of survival. The incident underscored the importance of having AEDs readily available in schools. The Yakima School District, along with Buffum and Holliday, recognized the need for accessibility and ensured AEDs were available in various locations on the Eisenhower campus.

The collapse occurred near the medical tent where the Athletic Trainers were stationed, which contributed to the successful outcome. They refrained from disclosing specific details about the cause of the collapse out of respect for the runner's privacy. Following a successful surgery, she was expected to remain at Seattle Children's Hospital for at least a week.

The Napavine relay team, which had qualified for the final before the incident, requested an additional medal. Meet director Scott Wells agreed to make an exception and ensure the athlete receives her deserved recognition. The relief was palpable when the runner eventually sat up, with the stadium erupting in applause.

Buffum and Holliday, best friends who have been working together for over a decade, both hold positions as athletic trainers in the Yakima area. Their usual role is to provide support behind the scenes, making the public recognition they received at the podium a humbling experience. Colleagues from across the state and beyond reached out to express their appreciation for the Athletic Trainers' actions.

“We see it as, well, we were just doing our job and glad that everything went the way that we were hoping it would. But yeah, it’s been a moment,” said Holliday.

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