Student athletic trainer shares his experience

A fresh look at gymnastics through a different perspective

Heather Hines, Reporter

Oxygen tank and medical bag in hand, Junior Kinesiology and Exercise Science major Nicholas Caruso watched TWU gymnasts flip and tumble across the floor, waiting to help an injured athlete, but hoping he would not have to.

Caruso works as a student trainer for the athletics department and has spent this year working with the gymnastics team during all of their practices and meets. Caruso works to prevent injuries with the athletes and help them when they are hurt.

Caruso stated: “There’s a lot more experiences with it. The girls can have any number of injuries, somewhere from their ankle all the way up to their head. I’m happy because I get to work with a wonderful set of athletes who are amazing at what they do and very talented, and I get to encourage them and help them out when they need it.”

Before meets, Caruso sets up all his equipment and makes sure he will be ready to administer care if athletes require it. During meets, Caruso follows the team thorough out the events, watching their landings and making sure they are well. Spending so much time with the team Caruso has made many friends among the TWU gymnasts.

Caruso shared: “They are a great group of girls, and they’re helping me just as much as I’m trying to help them. With [the athletes] there is a great foundation for friendship. But helping them and being there for them when they’re injured, especially seeing them sometimes when they’re at their absolute worst — just being there for them is wonderful. But all around they’re a great group of friends to have.”

Although sports fans would expect the hardest part of Caruso’s job would involve administering medical care to athletes, he described something very different as the most difficult part of his job.

Caruso explained: “Seeing their faces when they know they messed up or failed at their worst, because I want them to do good and succeed.  It’s really hard to see them take that step back, but I know it’s for the best for them to take those other steps forward.”

Overall, Caruso feels the experiences he has had working as an athletic trainer has helped him prepare for his future career and been very enjoyable.

Caruso stated: “It’s phenomenal. I love who I work with, I love the gymnastics team, I get to work with the other teams every now and then, and they’re wonderful people as well. The people I’ve met and networked with, it’s a wonderful community. I think all-around everybody you meet in this field is pretty amazing.”