Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Club Sports Athletic Training intern resuscitates Clemson men’s lacrosse player after seizure
3/14/2022 4:19:27 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Kira Turner (’19), a Liberty University graduate student serving as an intern on the Club Sports Athletic Training staff, was the first on the scene when a Clemson University player collapsed on the field moments after scoring the fina goal against Indiana University on Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Lacrosse Fields.
“He had a seizure and was not breathing when she got to his side,” said Angie Witt, Club Sports’ Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, who had covered Liberty men’s lacrosse games against Clemson on Friday night and Indiana on Sunday afternoon. “She immediately began chest compressions and he started breathing just seconds later. She saved his life with her immediate response.”
“I ran out to the field because that’s what we trained for all through undergrad or masters,” said Turner, who graduated with a B.S. in Athletic Training and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Exercise Science. “We have to have confidence and comfort in knowing that if we have to respond to an emergency situation, we know how to. … and adrenaline kicks in.”
The athlete had a faint pulse and was not breathing after likely aspirating fluid during the seizure, which was blocking his airway.
“He started breathing regularly again once I was able to administer chest compressions,” Turner said. “As soon as he was able to start breathing again, I was very relieved to see the color start coming back and know that he was going to be OK. Afterward, once he was safe in the ambulance, the stress settles in.”
Witt said the athlete’s current medical status is not completely known.
“We know he is stable and, from the coach, we know they are still running tests because there was no previous history,” she said. “Clemson’s coaching staff and his family are extremely thankful (to Turner).”
“Clemson lacrosse will be eternally grateful to Kira for her prompt and appropriate response,” Tigers Head Coach Buff Grubb said in an email to Witt. “I’m sure she did not anticipate coping with an incident of this nature, but she certainly rose to the occasion big-time. You are fortunate to have such skilled staff on board, as are we.”
“We were really grateful for our staff that was able to be there and help in that situation,” Liberty Head Coach Kyle McQuillan added.
Witt said Turner performed her role admirably under the unexpected circumstances.
“It definitely changes when it becomes life-threatening, with a whole different level of pressure and added responsibility to make sure that athlete is cared for,” she said.
An Indiana player, sophomore defender Harris Jaffe, who is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), assisted Turner.
“He helped control the scene, the people around the area,” Turner said. “He listened to what I was saying, and when I was trying to roll him on his side, he helped me do that. We also had second responders, including Clemson coaches, calling 911.”
Additionally, a number of Liberty players on hand to watch the contest played a critical role, spiritually.
“When the guy went down we were all very worried,” Flames senior attack Mark Rolewicz said. “As soon as he went down, it was just a really scary scene.”
He said graduate attack Carter Elliott brought Rolewicz and some of their teammates over to the Clemson side of the field and prayed with some of the Tigers.
“It was a really cool opportunity, even though we’re rivals with them, just to be able to be united and realize that it’s bigger than the game sometimes,” Rolewicz said.
“That shows you the character of our athletes and who they really are as people,” Witt added. “That is another reason why we as athletic trainers do what we do. We care for student-athletes, not just physically, but mentally and spiritual as well. We’re here to love on them like God would love on them. Whether it’s our players or other team’s, our responsibility is to care for them.”
Witt noted that March is National Athletic Training Month and this incident helps bring attention to the critical role that athletic trainers play, both on and off the field.
“Kira’s life-saving effort will highlight why athletic trainers are a must at our athletic events,” she said. Any contact sport where it is high-risk, we require that we have an athletic trainer on-site.”
She said the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA), in which Liberty, Clemson, and Indiana all compete, also requires a certified athletic trainer at every competition.
“We contracted our field out and staffed the game,” Witt said of the neutral site, the Liberty Lacrosse Fields. “Kira was the only one in town, as a lot of the other athletic trainers were working national tournaments and traveling, so she got the call for the game.”
“That was actually the first lacrosse game I have covered for Liberty,” added Turner, who has staffed previous Division III men’s hockey, men’s volleyball, and triathlon events Liberty has competed in, both at home and away.
Turner will travel with the DIII men to West Chester, Pa., for the March 18-23 College Hockey Federation (CHF) National Championships and with the men’s volleyball team to Phoenix for the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) National Championships in April.
“It is interesting that our busiest month of the year is National Athletic Training Month,” Witt said. “We work really hard in March, working events and traveling all over the country.”
She dealt with a serious shoulder injury to a Liberty junior midfielder Shane Reynolds in Friday night’s game against Clemson, the latest of six men’s lacrosse players currently sidelined by injury, many requiring surgery.
“The most common injuries we deal with are sprains, strains, and dislocations, as well as concussions, but life-threatening injuries do occur and we practice life-threatening action plans and all of our athletic trainers are first-aid and CPR-certified,” Witt said.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
