Oak Forest HS Athletic Aides Accepted into University Training Programs

Congratulations to the first senior class of the Oak Forest High School Athletic Training Aide Program, some of whom were accepted into Athletic Training programs at the university level. Oak Forest High School Seniors Mina Hanalla will be going to Bowling Green University, Samantha McFalls will be going to Aurora University, Rebecca McGrail will be going to St. Louis University, and Mark Faltynek will be going to Western Illinois University.

Senior Rebecca McGrail said, “I thought [the program] was a great learning opportunity. It also is a major reason I got accepted into the Athletic Training program at college. Dan was one of the best teachers I could ask for. I learned different stretching techniques, rehabs for different body parts, and injury assessments.”

All of the aides report to Oak Forest High School Athletic Trainer Dan Putlak from Athletico. Putlak said that all of the students “are responsible for helping me maintain a functional athletic training room; by assisting in keeping a clean Athletic Training room, documentation, first aid, and pre and post-practice treatments. Such treatments include anything from thermos/cryo-therapy, stretching, myofascial release, taping, and/or running an athlete through their rehab program.”

Senior Mina Hanallah liked the responsibilities of the program. “I liked being responsible of running different rehabs and wrapping and all of the hands-on stuff we did. The hardest part of it was when he gave us responsibilities for some injuries. We had to do it right.”

Senior Mark Faltynek said, “The hardest part was dealing with transitions. One moment someone has an injury in one place and then I had to meet someone else with a whole other problem. The best part was all of the hands-on experience I got.”

Senior Sam McFalls said that she liked “all of the amazing opportunities I got on and off the field. I learned so much and I am so happy I got the opportunity to be a part of the program. It was so much fun being in there all the time learning to do things and to get to know the program and people more. The hardest part was the late nights for football games and getting stuff ready for game day.

Putlak was very happy with the athletic training aides this year. He said, “I think the students that I had this year, especially being the first year of the program, had done an excellent job and are going to be difficult to compete with at the next level.”

In addition to the seniors, Juniors Owen Ryans, Max Butler, and Madison Hamrin, and Senior Rob James were also in the athletic training aide program.