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The Yelm High School sports medicine program from Yelm, Washington, returned from the 23rd annual California Regional High School Sports Medicine Competition, held in Northridge, California, with much to celebrate.
The competition, which concluded on Sunday, March 17, saw the team placing impressively in several categories, reflecting their dedication and the depth of their preparation.
In the small-schools division, Yelm secured a fifth-place finish, demonstrating their comprehensive knowledge and teamwork. The anatomage team, specializing in answering anatomy-related questions, achieved a remarkable fourth place.
A standout performance came from YHS student Rio Slevin, who was honored as the Athletic Training Student of the Year and also clinched third place in the advanced sports medicine division.
These achievements highlighted the expertise and hard work of the students, who competed in medical specialty tests and a knowledge bowl.
The competition involved medical specialty tests and a knowledge bowl, challenging the students across a wide spectrum of sports medicine disciplines.
Gary Clinton, the sports medicine instructor at Yelm, praised his students for their hard work, particularly with the anatomage.
"Some of the students worked incredibly hard to excel with the anatomage. They put in a lot of time, effort and energy. Those that prepare more, oftentimes, achieve higher goals."
The team comprised twelve dedicated students who, throughout the academic year, delve into the study of the human body and its relationship to sports. These students also support athletic events, applying their learning in practical settings.
Reflecting on the trip, Clinton emphasized the importance of team dynamics and the students' ability to work together:
"It was a great experience. The students wouldn’t have went if I couldn’t have trusted them to be great students that make decisions and be able to fit into a group environment."
Clinton also expressed his satisfaction with the students' preparation and their appreciation for the opportunity.
Echoing Clinton's sentiments, Slevin shared her gratitude for the experience, noting the balance of competition and camaraderie:
"It was great to be able to experience this with the team because we’ve all become friends."
She highlighted the unique experiences the team had, such as visiting Universal Studios and the educational tour at the University of California, Los Angeles, which was facilitated by YHS graduate Isaiah Patterson.
The upcoming state competition at the Tacoma Convention Center in April is the next challenge for the Yelm sports medicine program.
With a variety of events to prepare for, Clinton is optimistic about the team's prospects. Additionally, the possibility of participating in the National Competition in Las Vegas in June is on the horizon, further motivating the team to strive for excellence.
