---
title: Quick Action by Athletic Trainer and Paramedics Saves Student Athlete After Collapse
description: A student athlete survived cardiac arrest at a high school track meet thanks to rapid CPR, AED use, and the Athletic Trainer’s immediate response.
---

[Sports Medicine EMR Articles ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog)

# [Quick Action by Athletic Trainer and Paramedics Saves Student Athlete After Collapse](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/quick-action-by-athletic-trainer-and-paramedics-saves-student-athlete-after-collapse)

 Written by [Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark) | May 14, 2026 12:47:12 PM

What began as a normal high school track meet quickly turned into a life-or-death emergency Monday night in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

<https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cpr-aed-teen-athlete-collapses-track-meet-huntley-high-school/3935385/>A 16-year-old athlete collapsed near the finish line during the freshman/sophomore FVC championship meet at Huntley High School after completing a relay race.

Within moments, the school’s Athletic Trainer, staff members, and even off-duty paramedics in the stands rushed into action.

According to officials, CPR was started immediately and an AED was quickly brought to the scene. Before emergency crews arrived, a shock had already been delivered, restoring the teen’s pulse.

When paramedics reached the track, they found the athlete being treated by off-duty first responders, school staff, and the Athletic Trainer.

*“Through the coordinated efforts of everyone involved, the teenager regained consciousness,” the Huntley Fire Protection District said.*

Off-duty paramedic Andy Milewski said he saw the runner collapse shortly after the race ended.

*“I checked his airway, he wasn’t breathing,” Milewski said. “Checked his pulse, no pulse.”*

The rapid response highlights the critical role Athletic Trainers and emergency preparedness play at sporting events. Immediate CPR and AED access are often the deciding factors in cardiac emergencies.

*“This incident serves as a powerful reminder of how important early intervention can be,” Huntley Fire Chief Dan Wagner said.*

School officials later credited the calm, trained response of everyone involved with helping save the student-athlete’s life—a reminder that preparation can make all the difference when seconds matter most. Check out the full news story [here](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cpr-aed-teen-athlete-collapses-track-meet-huntley-high-school/3935385/)!

[View full post](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/quick-action-by-athletic-trainer-and-paramedics-saves-student-athlete-after-collapse)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Tim Clark"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-06-22T20:54:21.872Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-05-14T12:47:12Z",
  "headline" : "Quick Action by Athletic Trainer and Paramedics Saves Student Athlete After Collapse",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 225,
    "url" : "https://6581845.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6581845/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg",
    "width" : 425
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/quick-action-by-athletic-trainer-and-paramedics-saves-student-athlete-after-collapse",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60.0,
      "url" : "https://6581845.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6581845/HR%20Logo%20%5BRecovered%5D_Full%20Color%20Vertical.png",
      "width" : 67.026024
    },
    "name" : "Healthy Roster Blog"
  }
}
```