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Maryland Athletic Trainer keeps watchful eye

Kelly Crowe is on the sidelines of every Arundel High School football game and practice making sure the athletes are safe and healthy.

Crowe, is Arundel’s head athletic trainer and also the public relations chair for the Maryland Athletic Trainer’s Association (MATA).

“One of our goals for MATA is to continually educate the public about our profession and what we do as athletic trainers,” Crowe said.

Crowe works for MedStar who employs athletic trainers at Arundel, Meade, Northeast, North County, Glen Burnie and Chesapeake High schools. Anne Arundel County is fortunate in that most every high school has an athletic trainer at their schools, something that is not the case for other counties.

Crowe’s responsibilities include coverage for all sports throughout the year. Her athletic training services extend to the entire Arundel High School community.

“Our scope of practice includes preventative services, emergency care, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions,” Crowe said.

Kevin Necessary, athletic director at AHS said Crowe is a great addition to the athletic department.

“Our athletes are receiving the best care possible and their safety is now assured,” Necessary said. “Kelly is a major part of our athletic department and we cannot imagine life without her here on a daily basis.”

This is Crowe’s fifth year as an athletic trainer and first at Arundel. She played soccer and ran track at her Massachusetts high school.

“My favorite sports are football and soccer,” she said. “I love the intensity of those games.”

Growing up she knew she wanted to be in the medical field, and athletic training encompasses so many aspects of health and well being, it a perfect match for her. Crowe holds a Bachelor in Athletic Training from Boston University.

After passing the Board of Certification exam she went for a Masters in Athletic Training from Old Dominion University and is also Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. In addition to being credentialed by the National Athletic Training Association, in Maryland athletic trainers must also be licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians.

“As trained medical professionals, we often see situations that might otherwise go unnoticed because we recognize crucial signs and symptoms,” Crowe said. “Our educational background helps us keep student athletes safe and healthy and we know how to respond in the event of a medical emergency that could save someone’s life. We also act as a gateway to further professional care through our referral process to sports medicine health care professionals like physicians and physical therapists.”

Fall is football season, and football presents a wide range of injuries since it involves such high contact. ”

“Most commonly I’ll see ankle and knee injuries, mostly sprains from a tackle or cutting motion during a run,” she said.

Crowe stresses the athletes it’s not just what they do in season, but also how they prepare mentally and physically in the preseason and recover in the off-season.

“I’m fortunate to work at a school where the coaches understand this and do a great job of offering preseason and off-season strength and conditioning opportunities to the teams,” Crowe said. “It’s extremely rewarding to work with an athlete from initial diagnosis, through the rehabilitation process, and back to full participation.”

Bull and Oyster Roast

The Odenton Volunteer Fire Company will host a Bull and Oyster Roast on Nov. 7, from 7 to 11p.m. Cost is $35 before Nov. 1 and $45 after. The event will benefit the fire company at 1425 Annapolis Road. Call 410-674-4444 for tickets and more information.

Please send your Odenton/Gambrills news to westcountynews@gmail.com

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.capitalgazette.com/neighborhoods/ph-ac-cc-odenton-gambrills-1028-20151026-story.html