Injuries Strike, Yet ASP Students Persevere

By PETER ROBINSON

Since the beginning of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), six students have injured themselves during various activities, yet many students do not think that these incidents will affect their everyday activities, as they maintain that it is natural for people to do so.

While on campus thus far, members of the ASP community have sustained injuries varying from a laceration of the brow to a sprained ankle, a fractured toe to a mild concussion. Students here at the ASP have participated in many ice-breaking activities, have taken part in dorm recreation, and have now engaged in their first session of organized athletics; with each new event, more students injure themselves.

In the past, actions have been taken to reduce the number of injuries. Most notably, Ultimate Frisbee has switched from a co-ed sport and divided into two gender-specific groups. While an injury may deter some students from competing in sports, the majority of them are not affected by the number and severity of the injuries that have occurred here on campus.

When asked, many students replied that it is not the sport that is dangerous but the art of playing. This statement is at least partially true, as evidenced by the sprained wrist suffered by ASP student Criag Paggi during a kickball game on a rainy day; in his case, the adverse weather conditions represented an additional hazard.

To date, four injuries from men's Ultimate Frisbee have occurred within less than a week, a far greater number than any other sport or activity. While sports may cause injuries, students have consistently responded with the same belief that they will not limit their participation despite the amount of injuries that occur.

Many students persevere despite their personal setbacks. "[You can't] let your injury handicap you; there's always an alternative way to have fun," said Morgan Matthews, an ASP student who sustained a toe injury during Playfair. Instead of not participating at all, she had her toe bandaged and was informed that she had to switch out of women's Ultimate Frisbee. Undeterred, Ms. Matthews has not let her setback affect her spirit and plans on tackling Personal Fitness with the same eagerness as she would Ultimate Frisbee.

A student in a similar situation, Tyler Carlisle, Landed awkwardly, resulting in a sprained ankle. "[The sprain] should be better by this weekend unless I re-hurt it," Mr. Carlisle said. The recovery time for the injuries endured by students has ranged from a few days of recovery time to up to two weeks.

Some of the injured have been required to switch their assignment for the first session of athletics, while others have been told simply to take a break until thy recover. Some injured students are affected in more ways than just sports, as injured students Mr. Paggi said that his injury "does not hinder [his] recreation and studies that much," but does prevent him from playing the piano.

ASP Athletic Director Michele Rogers, a certified athletic trainer, said that she has seen worse injuries on the st. Paul's School grounds in previous years. in addition to the expertise of Mrs. Rogers and the staff at Clark House (the school's health center), all interns have some basic training in first aid and the school's Security officers have more detailed understandings and experiences with First Aid. Lastly, although the number of injuries thus far compares favorably to those recorded during past sessions, Mrs. Rogers still wants all community members to be careful and especially cautious when fields are wet.