CLAYTON, Mo. — In the world of sports, the most profound victories sometimes occur not on the field but on the sidelines. Such was the case at Clayton High School, where a remarkable act of heroism unfolded during a soccer practice, ultimately saving the life of one of their star players.
Athletic trainer for Clayton High School, Amra Kardasevic, is known for her ability to turn sprained ankles into comebacks, but her recent actions went far beyond that. She shared her initial career aspirations.
"I originally wanted to be a doctor, and then I realized that I wanted something a little more personal," Kardasevic said.
A few weeks ago during a seemingly ordinary practice, a life-altering moment happened for Brandon Wooten, an 18-year-old senior. About an hour into practice, Wooten started complaining of discomfort and had difficulty catching his breath.
"Yeah, there was a moment I could hardly breathe and then I could hardly see," Wooten said.
Kardasevic's expertise was put to the ultimate test. As part of the Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer program, she completed in-service training before the start of the fall season. When Wooten began experiencing distress, her instincts kicked in.
"I went to grab my supplemental oxygen tank," Kardasevic said, "and by the time I got back over there, he told me his chest was starting to hurt."
In a crucial moment, while trying to stabilize Wooten, she quickly dialed 911.
Lieutenant Tim Stolte of the Clayton Fire Department emphasized the significance of Kardasevic's reaction.
"Crucial. Yeah, crucial," Stolte said. "Without that early recognition, it could have been a much different call that day."
When EMS arrived, Wooten was rushed to St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Steve Hutson, Clayton High's Athletic Director, arrived at the hospital to hear the doctors commend Kardasevic's swift and life-saving actions. One of the cardiologists called it the luckiest day of his life.
"I was driving her back here to school, and by the time we got to my vehicle in the parking garage, I could finally get it out without becoming emotional.
"Amra, you saved his life," said Hutson.
Soccer had been Wooten's passion for eight years, starting with select teams and eventually advancing to high school soccer.
While Wooten is still recovering from heart surgery, he expressed a newfound appreciation for life and the crucial role of athletic trainers.
"I feel like athletic trainers are definitely important for situations like this, you never know what can happen on the field at any time," Wooten said. "You never know, they can save someone's life."
Kardasevic humbly downplays any talk of heroism.
"Hopefully, it never happens again. But it does make me feel good to be able to impact him and be able to help him," she said.
At Clayton High School, this incident serves as a poignant reminder that triumph is not always about scoring goals; sometimes, it's about making remarkable saves.
"I felt more grateful than anything," Kardasevic said.
In this heartwarming story of a life saved on the sidelines, Kardasevic's quick thinking and expertise have left an indelible mark on the Clayton High School community, emphasizing the invaluable role of athletic trainers in the world of sports.
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