Default Twitter Headers 8731375

Our Partnership with Magruder Hospital

Port Clinton Athletics is proud to partner with Magruder Hospital and NOMS Healthcare, trusted leaders in healthcare across Northwest Ohio.

Athletic Trainer: Jessica Vensel, MS, AT

At Port Clinton, athlete care is led by Athletic Trainer Jessica Vensel, who provides high-quality sports medicine services directly to our students. She plays a key role in injury prevention, emergency care, treatment, rehabilitation, and education, while collaborating with coaches, parents, school staff, and medical professionals to keep our student-athletes safe.
Jessica’s responsibilities include:
  • Injury prevention, assessment, emergency care, treatment, rehabilitation, and education during practices and games
  • Collaborating with coaches, parents, and medical providers on safe return-to-play planning and follow-up care
  • Providing immediate first aid (CPR, wound care, emergency response) during athletic events
  • Maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with medical protocols
  • Promoting sports medicine awareness in our schools and community

What Is an Athletic Trainer?

Athletic trainers are licensed healthcare professionals who work in collaboration with physicians. Their expertise includes injury prevention, emergency response, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and healthcare administration.
Key roles include:
  • Injury prevention and wellness promotion
  • Assessment, diagnosis, and acute care
  • Therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation
  • Healthcare administration and ethical practice
Athletic trainers are essential providers in school athletic settings, readily available during practices and competitions to ensure student-athlete safety.

Why Athletic Trainers Matter

Athletic trainers play a vital role in promoting safe and healthy sports participation. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and other professional bodies:
  • Pre-participation physical exams and medical clearance protect athletes’ health
  • Return-to-play protocols reduce risks of re-injury and long-term health issues, especially after concussions
  • Oversight of equipment, facilities, and emergency action plans improves safety
  • Injury surveillance, treatment, and education support overall athlete well-being

Injury Policy

To ensure proper care and documentation, athletes are expected to follow these guidelines:
  • Communication: Athletes must notify their coach if they need to be seen, then sign in using the provided QR code (timestamped log).
  • Participation Level: If an athlete is not practicing due to pain or injury, they must be evaluated and documented by the athletic trainer.
  • Rehabilitation: Injured athletes must attend consistent rehab sessions until cleared. Recovery is not “one and done.” Missing treatments or failing to communicate may extend time away from sport.
  • Away Competitions: Athletes injured at away events must follow up with Jessica for evaluation and documentation.
  • Doctor Visits: Parents may choose to take their child to a physician, urgent care, or ER. However, clearance notes with injury details and restrictions are required before return. If in physical therapy, Jessica can coordinate and supplement rehab to reduce time out of sport.

Concussion Education & Care

What is a concussion?
A brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. Concussions are serious and may result from falls, collisions, or contact.
Home care after a concussion:
  • Eat a light diet and rest
  • Perform only activities that do not worsen symptoms
  • No need to wake up every hour
Baseline Testing:
  • Helps recognize and treat concussions
  • Establishes a “normal” for each athlete
  • Imaging cannot diagnose concussions, so baseline data is vital
  • Port Clinton uses the Sway App for interactive balance testing, daily symptom checklists, and group evaluations
Return-to-Participation Protocol (24 hours between steps):
  1. Symptom-limited activity (daily routine/school)
  2. Light aerobic activity
  3. Moderate aerobic activity or sport-specific drills
  4. Non-contact practice
  5. Full-contact practice
  6. Return to competition

Final Forms & Documentation

  • Families must keep Final Forms updated, including injuries, illnesses, and medications
  • Emergency contact cards will be used if urgent communication is needed
  • Athletes with inhalers must bring their own to workouts (no sharing permitted)
  • Significant injuries will be documented in Final Forms, with parents notified by email
  • Daily treatments may take 1-2 days to appear due to a busy schedule

Contact Information

Athletic Trainer: Jessica Vensel, MS, AT
Email: [email protected]
Availability: Before and after practices. In emergent situations, coaches know how to reach her.