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Front row from left, Aubrey Mueller, Jenah Power, Gloria Palacios and Kaela Kocke. Back row from left, Olivia Sawyer, Jessica Montgomery, Skyler Tyree and Payton Neighbors.

Gloria Palacios is one of four seniors who serve as student trainers

Jessica Montgomery is poised to quench thirst.

Front row from left, Aubrey Mueller, Jenah Power, Gloria Palacios and Kaela Kocke. Back row from left, Olivia Sawyer, Jessica Montgomery, Skyler Tyree and Payton Neighbors.

Gloria Palacios is one of four seniors who serve as student trainers

Jessica Montgomery is poised to quench thirst.

The summer of 2022 was one of the hottest on record, and Springtown football players were running, grunting and sweating through it all. 

Keeping them hydrated – and their cramps at bay – falls under the responsibility of student trainers who attend every practice and game with trusty water bottles in hand. The trainers also help with wrapping ankles, but their primary function is to keep ice water handy for thirsty players.

“It’s been really fun so far getting to go to all the games and everything,” said Skyler Tyree, who is in her first year as a student trainer. “The boys are usually really nice.”

Last year, the junior participated in band. This year, she decided to drop music and choose a different elective. Her favorite pastime is cross-country track, but band performances tend to overlap with track events, and she had to make a choice.

“I wanted to do cross-country this year, and it would interfere with the band schedule,” she said. “My friends were doing this (student training), so I figured I would too.”

Jessica Montgomery became a trainer a year ago to have more fun at games. Now, rather than driving herself to games and sitting in the stands watching with fans, she enjoys being down on the field amid the action.

“I like going to the games,” she said. “It’s easier when you’re traveling with the team. It’s interesting. I like being a part of the team and being on the sidelines.”

Perhaps the most experienced trainer on the crew of eight is senior Gloria Palacios, now in her fourth year of wielding a water bottle. She is one of four seniors on the crew and plans to pursue sports medicine after college.

“I thought that this experience would help me in the long run with a physical therapy trainer,” she said.

Athletic director Brian Hulett characterized the student trainers as crucial to the success of the sports program.

“The girls work super hard every day during fifth period and after school, not just in games,” he said. “We couldn’t survive without their help and can’t thank them enough.”

A year ago, Payton Neighbors volunteered as a trainer and enjoyed it so much that she reenlisted this year. The junior has her mind set on a career in sports medicine and figures working as a student trainer will provide worthy experience.

“I love watching football and basketball,” she said. “I love being out here with the boys and being able just to see their personalities, not only at school, but here (at games), and being able to help them out and just seeing what’s really behind the scenes.”

She spoke like a sports psychologist.

“That’s also in consideration,” she said.

Neighbors plans to serve as a trainer again next year and then study sports medicine in college. She will begin applying for scholarships soon, she said.

“I really love just having hands-on experience on the sidelines,” she said. “If a boy is hurt, I’m the first one out there. I’m ready to get there and help.”

Although their focus is to provide water, the student trainers must remember to drink plenty themselves. They, too, endure the summer heat on the fields of battle.

Neighbors was red in the face and sweating while refilling a water bottle on the sidelines at a recent football game, but she didn’t appear to notice.

When asked how she felt, she smiled and said, “It’s a great day to be a Porcupine!”

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