Whether it is on the gridiron or the hardwood, Marauders athletic trainer Jazmine Roland is everywhere on the Mingus Union High campus.
For Roland, watching athletes compete is one of the perks of her job.
“Enjoying athletes partake in what they love is my favorite aspect of sports medicine,” Roland said. “The body is capable of so many things and that is what initially grabbed my attention in high school.”
“I really enjoy just building relationships in general but especially with my athletes,” Roland said. “They challenge me to continue learning and apply what I learned as a student.”
“We learn together, I love sharing my personal experiences to help prepare them for the real world,” Roland said.
Roland played on the Marauders’ golf team and graduated from Mingus Union in 2010.
Roland attended Mesa Community College before transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver.
There, Roland earned a bachelor of science degree in athletic training and was brought on by Verde Valley Medical Center’s EntireCare group at Northern Arizona Health in January 2017.
For Roland, giving back to her alma mater is one of the perks of her job.
“I knew that coming back to this community was my ultimate goal while in college,” Roland said. “Having the ability to experience my first two years with these people is the cherry on top of it all.”
Since returning to the Valley, Roland has thrived as one of three certified athletic trainers employed by NAH.
The partnership between the NFL and NAH allows Roland and Sedona Red Rock High trainer Andrea Bagnall to occasionally work together.
“We are both busy so I always pick her brain whenever I have the chance to speak with her,” Roland said. “She is an incredible athletic trainer, so I wish I did have more opportunities to interact with her.”
For Roland, Bagnall’s old-school approach is what stands out in her mind.
“She really understands the body and what it takes for an athlete to make a speedy recovery,” Roland said. “Bagnall knows how to guide her athletes, and that is very crucial in regards to athletes’ safety.”
“She has put her hands on many people throughout her career and has carved out a very successful career,” Roland said.
Roland said the community aspect was big for her decision to return to Cottonwood.
“In my opinion, a lot of kids do not fully appreciate the community aspect of things when they are younger,” Roland said. “You do not realize a small community can mean a big thing until you move away.”
“This area has always felt like home to me, especially now more than ever.”
While athletes are told to push themselves to the limit, Roland often must tell her athletes when to tone it back.
“I preach diversity with my kids because we have a lot of tri-sport athletes and kids who train all year,” Roland said. “I really encourage my kids to rest because sometimes you get that wear and tear that can lead to complications and issues.”
At Mingus, Roland works hard to ensure Marauders athletes are always in top form.
“It is far and few for Mingus athletes to overwork themselves but those athletes do exist,” Roland said. “There is a large group of kids that are not as disciplined as we would like but only a few need to slow down and rest.”
In high school athletics, muscle-related injuries occur more frequently than other injuries.
While athletes are taught to give 110%, sometimes they must be reminded to tone down their workload.
“A lot of kids do not take them proper time to stretch before engaging in physical activities,” Roland said. “Ultimately, a lot of athletes struggle with these types of injuries so stretching and maintaining high hydration levels are key to remaining healthy.”
Though the semester is coming to a close, fall sports is right around the corner for Roland and Mingus athletics.
“My ultimate goal when I attended college was to come back and give to the area,” Roland said. “Experiencing the last couple of years with the people that meant the most was the cherry on top.”
