Rapid Recovery: Jenks Football Bouncing Back In Just One Week
Photo Creds: @jenksfootballboosterclub on Instagram
By Ella Embry
Resting and healing is an essential part of the recovery process upon getting injured or hurt during a game. Jenks football players don’t always get the luxury of doing so. Most times, a week is all that is provided for their bodies to reset to 100%. Difficult or not, they continue this routine every week for five months straight.
“Some weeks it’s a lot more difficult to recover if you get banged up during the game,” said Sam Stone, a junior, and outside linebacker on the Jenks Varsity Football team.
“I am almost always fully recovered before my next game because of sleep, using the training room we have, and eating and hydrating as well as I can,” said Stone.
The Jenks training room is a multipurpose recovery resource for all Jenks athletes to use. It is located in the Sharp Center on the first floor. Along with utilizing this tool, players can access the Jenks Sports Medicine room on the second floor of the Sharp. They provide benefits such as compression boots, ice baths, tape, and foam rollers.
Jenks vs. Edmond Santa Fe (Playoff game), Photo Creds: @jenksfootballboosterclub on Instagram
“We try to provide the best services available to our student athletes. Our staff, Katie Munger, Jill Gunther and myself, attend continuing education sessions so that we can ensure we are up to date on the latest technology,” said Michael Catterson, head Jenks athletic trainer.
“Currently we use a focus on mobility and corrective exercises to help with injuries. However, we also have recovery tools such as massage guns, compression boots and foam rollers that assist with soreness,” said Catterson.
“You have to watch out for what goes on during the game and be attentive. You just really have to take care of yourself due to how much your body is in pain after a game,” said Jett Calmus, a senior, and linebacker on the Jenks Varsity Football team.
Along with resting outside of school and practice, players are allowed time to use the school’s resources if need be.
“Our coaches give us plenty of time to stretch and head to the athletic trainers for any recovery we may need,” said Zac Cox, a junior, and center on the Jenks Varsity Football team. “Some days we wake up and do what we call a ‘recovery lift’ as a team to help our muscles.”
Sometimes getting hurt on the field results in injuries far worse that cannot recover in the span of a week. This can take a large toll on players and their coaches, both physically and mentally.
Jenks players running out of tunnel before win against Union (Playoff Game), Photo Creds: @jenksfootballboosterclub on Instagram.
“The hardest part is when we have to hold an athlete out. We always want to see our student athletes succeed on the field, but sometimes we’re not able to make that occur. It’s especially hard when that injury is season ending and requires surgery,” said Catterson.
Whether you're in the stands or on the field and witness a player getting knocked down, remember how difficult the recovery process is and how quickly they mend their bodies within a week. It’s not always easy being a football player for Jenks. For further information on Jenks Football or Jenks Sports Medicine, check them out at @jenksfootballboosterclub and @jenks.sportsmed on Instagram and Facebook.
