Athletic Trainer Owen Iseminger with Safe Sports Distinction Award Banners

Kearney High School (KHS) has been recognized for the second time as a Safe Sport School by the National Athletic Trainers Association. Kearney is one of only two schools to be given this distinction twice. This year, 11 schools in the state earned this honor.

“Kearney has once again earned the Safe School Distinction Award due to the hard work and dedication of our Athletic Trainer, Owen Iseminger,” stated Activities Director, Eric Marshall. “Owen is a true professional. He is thorough and available to our student-athletes and staff at all times. He is there to help and protect our students and is a great resource for our athletes, coaches and parents.”

To be recognized a school or school district must:

• Create a positive athletic health care administrative system.
• Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations.
• Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities.
• Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment.
• Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes.
• Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions.
• Provide or facilitate injury intervention.
• Create and rehearse venue-specific Emergency Action Plan.
• Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education.
• Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.

Schools are awarded the distinction for a three-year timeframe. Afterward, they must reapply and are reviewed again. Schools given this recognition “…go above and beyond to help ensure the safety of their student athletes,” according to the National Athletic Trainers Association.