2026

Bradley Martin, MS, LAT, ATC

 

Bradley was alerted to a student-athlete exhibiting signs of a severe heat-related illness. Upon rapid assessment, he recognized the condition as exertional heat stroke — a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention. Without hesitation, Bradley initiated aggressive cooling measures by placing the athlete in an ice bath while simultaneously activating EMS.

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Understanding that “cool first, transport second” is critical in cases of heat stroke, Bradley remained firm and professional in directing care on scene. He strongly advocated to delay transport until the athlete’s core temperature had sufficiently decreased, ensuring the safest possible outcome. His decisive actions prevented further deterioration and stabilized the athlete prior to transport.

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Bradley’s clinical knowledge, calm command of the scene, and unwavering advocacy for evidence-based care were instrumental in saving this student’s life. His leadership and expertise exemplify the highest standards of the athletic training profession.

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Lexi Fotakos, LAT, ATC On September 24, 2025, a basketball coach urgently entered the athletic training room seeking immediate assistance. Upon arriving to the basketball coaches’ office, Lexi found a student-athlete unresponsive and lying on t

he floor. The head coach had already initiated chest compressions, and an assistant coach had activated EMS, who were en route.

As the coach completed a cycle of CPR, Lexi quickly applied the AED. The device analyzed the athlete’s heart rhythm and advised a shock. After delivering the shock and continuing CPR, the athlete regained consciousness. Lexi maintained control of the scene, kept the athlete calm, and closely monitored vital signs until EMS arrived and transported him to the hospital.

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It was later determined that the athlete had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Because of the rapid recognition, decisive action, and coordinated response of the coaching and athletic training staff, this student-athlete is alive today and has since returned to playing basketball. Their preparedness and commitment to emergency care exemplify the life-saving impact of athletic trainers in secondary school athletics.

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Kate Prescott, LAT, ATC

During a spring 2025 boys’ lacrosse game, a high school athlete from an opposing team sustained a significant blow to the abdomen. While the injury initially appeared consistent with having the “wind knocked out,” Kate Prescott’s thorough evaluation and clinical judgment quickly identified signs that suggested a far more serious internal injury.

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Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Kate immediately activated EMS for transport to the emergency department. The student-athlete was later diagnosed with a ruptured stomach and required emergency surgery to repair the injury. Physicians indicated that the rapid recognition and swift action were critical in preventing further complications.

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Kate’s decisive response, advanced assessment skills, and unwavering commitment to athlete safety exemplify the highest standards of the athletic training profession. In addition to being nominated for the Lifesaver Award, she was also recognized by her school community for her life-saving actions.

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Dayziana McArthur, Amber Strickland, LaKindra McKnight

On October 17th, 2025 during a football game at Southeast Raleigh High School, a Cleveland High School student-athlete experienced sudden cardiac arrest on the field. 

 

Thanks to the swift recognition and decisive action of this group of Athletic Trainers the emergency was immediately identified as cardiac arrest. Their prompt assessment, activation of the emergency action plan, and rapid use of an AED were critical in providing lifesaving care. Their professionalism, preparedness, and teamwork exemplify the vital role athletic trainers play in protecting the health and safety of student-athletes.

 

Nate Clark, Rachel Wilkerson, Mckenzie Martin

During a weight training session, a track and field student-athlete suddenly collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Rachel and Mackenzie were immediately called to respond, along with Nate. Upon arrival, Rachel and Mackenzie quickly assessed the situation and confirmed the need for immediate lifesaving intervention.

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The team initiated CPR without hesitation. Rachel and Mackenzie performed high-quality chest compressions while Nate provided effective rescue breaths. They continued coordinated CPR efforts and utilized an AED for more than 10 minutes until paramedics arrived on scene.

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Thanks to their rapid recognition, composure under pressure, and seamless teamwork, the athlete was successfully revived prior to transport to the hospital and is now alive and recovering. Their decisive actions exemplify the critical role athletic trainers and emergency responders play in safeguarding the lives of student-athletes.

 

2025

Courtney B Phelps: During the first play of the game, a junior varsity football player received a significant hit. He was assisted off the field but his condition quickly declined. The athlete was experiencing severe abdominal pain and was unable to find relief. Due to the pain, I was unable to palpate his abdomen and began monitoring his vital signs, suspecting internal bleeding. Within minutes of the impact, his heart rate increased, his blood pressure dropped, his skin became pale, and he expressed feeling cold.

Courtney immediately called 911, and the athlete was transported to the local hospital. A CT scan confirmed a Grade 5 spleen rupture and a Grade 4 kidney rupture. He was then airlifted to the trauma center in Greenville and was released from the ICU four days later. The athlete has since been cleared to return to non-contact sports and is expected to return to football in the fall.

 

2023

In the spring of 2023, Cary High School’s athletic trainer, Eric Hall accurately identified a baseball player suffering from an anaphylactic reaction after mistakenly ingesting peanuts before a baseball game. The athlete was successfully treated with the school’s emergency EpiPen when swelling of this airway was noted. 

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2022

After coming back in from football practice Makayla Lawler was alerted to an incident in the gym (basketball workouts). An athlete collapsed and Makayla provided CPR and applied an AED that helped save the athlete’s life.

 

In August of 2021 Stacy B Davis was covering football workouts as usual when she took lifesaving action to an athlete who was slowly diminishing in response. He was sweating profusely and his breathing was becoming labored.  She decided to activate EMS and her quick actions and the care she provided helped save the athlete’s life.

 

During the Wake County Cheerleading Competition at Green Hope High School, a spectator began to feel ill. He left the gym and went into the hallway where he collapsed. Officer Brian L. Smith of the Cary Police Department witnessed the collapse and responded to the victim. He activated EMS and started performing chest compressions. Eric Hall, athletic trainer from Cary High School who was working the event, was summoned and assisted Officer Smith by applying the AED (automated external defibrillator). After the AED analyzed the patient, “no shock was advised” and moments later, the spectator regained consciousness and was transported to the local hospital. 

 

Stephen Borchik, UNCG, was present on Dec 30, 2021 when a male basketball player collapsed after the conclusion of conditioning.  While the SA initially was breathing and had a pulse, the situation quickly changed and Stephen activated our EAP with the assistance of our S&C coach, James Diaz.  While Stephen attached the AED and began CPR, Athletic Training Student, Kinley McKay arrived to assist.  Stephen performed multiple cycles of CPR (including shocks with the AED) to the SA who began breathing again on his own just prior to EMS taking over care.  He was transported to the ED shortly thereafter and was responsive to paramedics prior to being taken to the ambulance.  James and Kinley assisted by gathering the necessary equipment and supplies to aid in carrying out the EAP. The SA was released from the hospital 5 days later and has since returned to school.  While he will no longer play sports, he will remain an important part of the team. 

 

Morgan Krout and Frank Sanchez saved the life of Juliette Suh, a cross country runner for Jack Britt HS during a meet.  She collapsed near the finish line. They began chest compressions and activated EMS. The athlete was taken to hospital where she was placed on a ventilator and recovered. She went on to have a defibrillator implanted. Suh's mother credits Sanchez and Krout for saving her life.

 

On 3/2/21, Katie Hanes-Romano, a Wake Forest Baptist Health Athletic Trainer and the Head Athletic Trainer at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem, NC was leaving the athletic training room to get the golf cart and head to a WLAX game when she was summoned to the baseball field by two soccer players who stated that one of their teammates had passed out. As she began running towards the baseball field, another soccer player said that the player was unconscious and not breathing. The athlete was lying in centerfield of the baseball field and Head JV Soccer coach, Dylan Collier, was performing CPR. The athlete was unresponsive except for gurgling sounds. She asked if anyone had called 911 and two of the Varsity players were on the phone with EMS at that point. She checked his pulse and it was absent. She got the AED ready to use. She turned the AED on and applied the pads to his chest. She followed the instructions and stood clear while his rhythm was analyzed and a shock was advised. One shock was given from the AED, and she began compressions. Then EMS arrived and took over care. The athlete was placed on a stretcher, alert, and responsive and placed into the ambulance. He was transported to WFBH Brenner's Children's Hospital and was released.

 

Stephanie Jo Mansfield was covering last minute for a local private high school basketball game when a senior athlete became unresponsive. CPR was performed and an AED applied to resuscitate the athlete who was sitting up and asking questions by the time EMS arrived. He was transported to the hospital along with the AED which showed he had gone into atrial fibrillation before the shock was advised. A defibrillator was inserted a few days later.  

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2021

NCATA President Jim Bazluki and fellow Atrium AT Jade Witmer found themselves in an emergency situation during their work at the hospital. A few hours into the start of the shift they were alerted by security that a cardiac arrest was coming into the facility. The nurse stated they were on a skeleton staff and did not have the manpower to run a full code and requested assistance by someone who could help with CPR. They professionally joined the code team and supported the nurses and doctors, providing chest compressions and other vital aspects to help stabilize the patient. You never know when you can use your skills and help other professionals understand the value of athletic trainers in the healthcare team. 

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Kevin Jones, Athletic Trainer who is hired through Pardee and normally works at AC Reynolds Middle School was reassigned to an Urgent Care facility to screen patients. While at work a patient collapsed in the waiting room, with no pulse and was non-responsive.

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Quick life saving CPR and O2 administration, between the Physician Assistant and Kevin, resulted in a positive outcome for this patient. An example of regardless of what setting you are in, as an AT you must always be ready for an emergency.

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2020

Lindsey Braddock, Page High School Athletic Trainer, who works on the Page High Campus through Outreach of Murphy Wainer Orthopedic Specialist, identified and successfully treated a football player who suddenly fell unconscious. Her actions resulted in appropriate care and that help save the life of this young athlete. 

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​Christopher Chapman, Head Athletic Trainer for Red Springs, managed a severe blow to the upper left quadrant of a football player’s abdomen that eventually resulted into a cardiac arrest. The well-orchestrated EAP and efforts of Christopher Chapman and team helped successfully resuscitated this football player.   

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​Zac Schner, Head Athletic Trainer for a Professional Baseball Team, managed a frantic, pale, and nearly unconscious athlete in respiratory arrest as having an airway obstruction. His action of performing Heimlich maneuver successfully cleared the airway of the athlete.

 

2019

Blake Wickerham, Assistant Athletic Trainer, and Rob Murphy, Associate Athletic Director and Director of Sports Medicine, both of North Carolina State University, identified and successfully treated a Men’s Soccer player suffering from an anaphylactic reaction following a team meal on campus. 

 

Emma Spisak, Head Athletic Trainer for Club Sports at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, managed a severe head injury in a rugby player presenting with extended seizures, loss of consciousness and vomiting.  The injury resulted in extended hospital stay and rehabilitation.  Her actions resulted in appropriate prehospital care, and well executed emergency action plan. 

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2018

Kelly Daniels from Perquimans High School in Elizabeth City for her management of a traumatic cervical spine injury
NCATA presented a one-time award for 2018 The Lifesaver of the Year Award.  It was presented to Emily Gaddy from Orange High School in Hillsborough for her management of 2 traumatic brain injuries resulting in hospitalizations  and continued advocacy for the management of concussions.  

 

2017

Tyler Long of South Carolina State was awarded honorary NCATA Lifesaver Recognition for his actions during a cardiac arrest during the NC State basketball game. NC State ATs Austin Frank and John Garcia were also honored, as well as the leadership and actions of the entire NC State Sports Medicine Staff

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​2016

Stephen Digh ATC of Tuscola HS and Jennifer Frey ATC of Pisgah HS worked together to revive the head soccer referee who had collapsed of an apparent heart attack.  MORE HERE  

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2015

Kim Chase ATC, Sally Mays ATC, Jake Mir ATC, Carly Natsis ATS of UNC-Chapel Hill,  UNC Volleyball medical staff successfully revived spectator who was in cardiac arrest using CPR and AED

Eric Hall ATC of Cary High School accurately identified and referred high school football player experiencing a Stroke.

Roslyn Hart ATC , Sara Woods ATC and Jordan Johnson  ATS of  Carolinas Healthcare System-Blue Ridge,  successfully resuscitated a man who went into cardiac arrest while playing tennis near the cross country event they were covering.

Brendon Jonsson ATC of Southeastern Healthcare and Jordan Jones ATS successfully identified, stabilized and referred a football player with a lacerated spleen. MORE HERE

John Lavender ATC & Ian Mushinski ATC of Winston Salem State University,  recognized, stabilized and assisted with the transport of a collegiate football player with multiple levels of neck fractures.  READ TWO ARTICLES:  1ST,  2ND 

Elizabeth Nottingham ATC of South Rowan High School successfully resuscitated a high school soccer player who collapsed due to cardiac arrest.

Brenda Paider of Catawba College utilized CPR and AED on a high school basketball player who collapsed due to cardiac arrest at a summer camp. MORE HERE

Heather Teague ATC of Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC revived a high school soccer player who collapsed due to cardiac arrest

Tracy Yoshikawa ATC of Eastern Carolina University successfully identified and treated a women’s soccer player with heat stroke and core temperature of 108. 

 

2013

John Manor ATC  at UNC-Chapel Hill sports camp identified and referred a rare fracture of the 1st rib in a lacrosse player

Jennifer Lynch Caldwell ATC of Belmont Abby College successfully identified and referred a soccer player with an unknown bee sting allergy who ended up going into anaphylaxis.

Jana Webb ATC of Eastern Randolph and Jeff Guffrey ATC of Southern Guilford HS worked together to treat an unconscious football player during a game.

 

2012

Bob Casmus ATC stabilized and referred a football player at Catawba College who sustained a fractured neck.

Eric Hall  ATC of Cary High School treated exertional heat illness in a football player with over 104 temperature, and advocated for EMS education of evidenced based heat protocol

Mary Sult ATC and Garrie Storie ATC Football ATs in Randolph County (NC) worked to successfully identify, stabilized, spineboard and transports a football player that had broken his neck.

 

2011

Nina Walker ATC treated severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to peanuts on a bus in rural SC.

 

2009

Eric Hall ATC, Brent Dorenkamp, ATC and Marc Mooney, ATC, successfully responded to a collapsed football player who went into cardiac arrest at Wakefield High School. MORE HERE

Doug Bennett ATC and Tim Mauntel ATC, Club athletic trainers at UNC- Chapel Hill, successfully revived an club team handball  member with and AED and CPR after going into cardiac arrest.

 

2008

Jon Schner ATC of Greensboro Day School in NC. Successfully resuscitated an 8th grader that went into cardiac arrest during lunch time play in school.

Crystal Shirk ATC of Charles D Owen HS was able to assess, refer and identify a football player with exertional sickle cell trait.

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