Charlotte Independent School Athletic Association Announce the 2008 All-Conference Team

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Sawyer, Tanneberger, and Sturges to Represent the South

Three Charlotte players named to play in the 2008 National High School Senior Showcase in Chicago on June 20 and 21.  Charlotte Catholic's Michael Sawyer, Charlotte Latin's Andrew Tanneberger and Charlotte Country Day's Alex Sturges join Chapel Hill High School's William Scroggs as North Carolinas representatives in this US Lacrosse annual event. To read more please visit: http://www.uslacrosse.org/events/nss/index08.phtml

We Saved a Life Today.  So Could You.

Eric B. Laxer MD

OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, NC

Not Just a Saturday Morning Lacrosse Game

Saturday April 19, 2008 started as a perfect day for an athletic event.  Warm, sunny skies, with a cool breeze.  An ideal spring morning as we arrived in Raleigh to watch our sons from Providence Day School in Charlotte compete against the lacrosse team from Cardinal Gibbons High School.

Following the warm up, national anthem, player introductions and benediction, the game started and progressed without incident. Early in the fourth quarter, with Cardinal Gibbons up 5-3, Providence Day came down the field and one of the players took a shot.  As the ball sailed toward the goal, it struck Alex Beuris, a Cardinal Gibbons defenseman on his front side.  Alex bent over holding his chest, removed his helmet as he fell to the ground first in a seated position, then falling backwards.

From a distance it looked like Alex had the wind knocked out of him, but as Dr. Pat O’Brien, a Cardinal Gibbons parent arrived at his side, Alex began to twitch and go into spasm.  Dr. O’Brien immediately turned toward the bench area, yelling across the field to “call 911”. 

Hearing this, I ran onto the field, and arrived at Alex’s side as he was staring blankly into space, his body convulsing.  He was having a seizure. I knelt above Alex’s head, holding and protecting it while maintaining his airway.  The seizure lasted about 20 seconds.  He then started to wretch.  We turned him on his side so he wouldn’t aspirate.  This passed, and was immediately followed by 3 or 4 similar convulsing episodes.  With each episode his breathing paused and his color went from pink, to ashen, to pink again, as his breathing resumed.  We were joined on the field by Dr. Lee Ann McGinnis, and Dr. Matt Ohl, 2 other Providence Day parents.  Just when it seemed that Alex was coming around, his body went flaccid and his breathing stopped.  We called out his name but he lay motionless.  He was unresponsive, and his color quickly turned blue.  We could not feel a pulse.

Alex Beuris, an otherwise healthy 18-year-old high school senior, was lying on the athletic field in full cardiac arrest.

We removed his jersey and upper body equipment and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compressing Alex’s chest, and providing mouth to mouth. He had a bruise just over the left lower portion of his chest where the ball had struck. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was available on site and was quickly brought to the field.  The leads were applied to Alex’s chest, CPR was paused, and the monitor confirmed that his heart had stopped pumping.  It informed us that his heart needed to be shocked.  Following the verbal instructions from the AED, everyone ‘cleared’ off of Alex, the machine’s button was pushed, and Alex’s body jumped off the ground as the shock was delivered.  No response.  His face still blue, and precious time continuing to pass, we resumed CPR as the machine instructed us to give another shock.  Everyone ‘cleared’ again as the button was pushed a second time, once again causing Alex’s body to jump.  This time after the shock his cardiac rhythm resumed and he started breathing on his own; his skin turning pink as oxygen started flowing through his body once again.  Within minutes of Alex coming back to life the paramedics arrived.  They took over stabilizing him, and transported him to the hospital where, shortly after arriving he woke up and started talking.  Alex’s cardiac arrest lasted about 6 minutes.

The purpose of this article is to share our experience, so those attending high risk athletic events are better prepared to do everything possible to save a life; possibly that of your own child.

Commotio Cordis

Alex sustained blunt chest trauma resulting in sudden cardiac death, an injury known in the medical literature as Commotio Cordis (CC).   The term comes from Latin, and means disturbance or commotion of the heart.  The cause is a blow to the heart through the chest wall at a vulnerable point in the hearts electrical rhythm.  High-risk sports include lacrosse, hockey, and baseball.   The exact incidence is unknown.  The death rate with CC is high.  In a clinical review published in January 2007 by Madias and co-authors, survival is reported as being only15%. The only chance for survival is early resuscitation with CPR and a defibrillator to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.   If resuscitation is initiated within 3 minutes of onset, survival goes up to 25%, but if it is delayed beyond 3 minutes, it drops to less than 3%.   Unfortunately, commercially available chest protectors have not been shown to reliably protect an athlete from CC.

Be Aware and Be Prepared

So what can you do?  The first thing is be aware.  Sudden cardiac death from blunt chest trauma happens in a healthy athlete as a result of a series of recognizable events.  Know what they are.  If an athlete collapses after being hit in the chest area this is what can be going on.  The second thing is be prepared.  A coaches-parents meeting at the beginning of each season should review Commotio Cordis and identify specific steps that should be followed once it occurs.  For example, following the ‘Cardiac Chain of Survival’ as outlined by the American Red Cross, is an easy to remember sequence of measures any bystander can initiate.  Coaches, trainers, teammates, parents and officials should know CPR.  Courses are widely available. Although several medical professionals were there today you do not need to be one to do what we did.  Starting CPR early increases survival.  However, while this gave Alex a chance, the availability of an on-site AED made the difference in Alex’s survival.  AED’s are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.  They should be on the field in a known, accessible location at every athletic event where this kind of injury can occur. A specific person should be assigned ahead of time to ‘grab it and run’ if it is needed.   Coaches and parents should be taught its use at the beginning of every season. 

We saved a life today.  So could you.

The ‘We’ in this article refers to the collective efforts of many people, most of whom don’t know one another and will never meet.  Starting with Mike Curatolo the Cardinal Gibbons lacrosse coach, and David Mills the Cardinal Gibbons trainer, who together made the decision to have an on-site AED (purchased 6 years ago with money donated by a player’s grandparent and raised by their student body); to the person who called 911; to those performing the resuscitation; and to the officials, coaches, parents, and athletes who ran, prayed, comforted and supported one another regardless of which jersey they had on. 

Competitive sports are an exciting and important part in the growth and development of our kids.  But nothing was more important on the morning of Saturday April 19, 2008 at Cardinal Gibbons High School than saving the life of an 18-year-old boy who collapsed on an athletic field.

We saved a life today.  So could you.

References

Commotio Cordis -- Sudden Cardiac Death with Chest Wall Impact.  Christopher Madias, M.D.; Barry J. Maron, M.D.; Jonathan Weinstock, M.D.; N. A. Mark Estes III, M.D.; Mark S. Link, M.D. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol.  2007; 18(1): 115-122.

US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee.  Position Statement on Commotio Cordis.  www.uslacrosse.org/safety/commotio_cordis_position.phtml

American Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/aed.html

Personal communication with Dr. Barry Maron, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Personal Communication with Mike Curatolo (Cardinal Gibbons High School Lacrosse Coach), and David Mills (Cardinal Gibbons High School Team Trainer)

Louis J Acompora Memorial Foundation.  http://www.la12.org

Coach Touma to be inducted into the NC Lacrosse Hall of Fame

 After twenty years at the helm of one of North Carolina’s best and most respected high school lacrosse programs (including 300 plus victories and five state championships), Charlotte Country Day’s Brad Touma will be honored along with seven others on Saturday, May 31 into the NC Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Coach Touma as we wish him continued success at Country Day.  Information on the event is listed below  

On behalf of the North Carolina Chapter of US Lacrosse

The following individuals have been selected for  Induction into 2008 NC Chapter Hall of Fame
The Inductees for 2008 include:

 Mr. Peter Kramer – Phoenix, MD – A Truly Great Player
 Mr. William Hook – Greensboro, NC – A Truly Great Contributor
 Mr. Chip Mayer – Durham, NC – A Truly Great Contributor
 Mrs. Joyce Bailey – Durham, NC – A Truly Great Contributor 
Mr. Brad Touma – Charlotte, NC – A Truly Great Coach 
Mrs. Barbara Pedersen – Chapel Hill, NC – A Truly Great Contributor 

Mr. Rick Wooten – Durham, NC – A Truly Great Official 

Mr. Joseph Seivold – Minnetonka, MN – A Truly Great Coach  

   The Induction Celebration will be held  Saturday, May 31, 2008  The Grandover Resort – Greensboro, NC  6:00 pm – Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar 6:45 pm – Dinner 7:30 pm – Class of 2008 Hall of Fame Inductions Black Tie Optional $85.00 per person Please send your check, the number of tickets requested and your email address to: Stephen Bailey – Hall of Fame Chair  4024 Swarthmore Road  Durham, NC 27707.  Additional info is at: http://www.northcarolinalax.org/index.php

HAWKS REUNION

Former Charlotte Latin players Teddy Schwab #27 (Junior, Hampden-Sydney) and Colin Guy #7 (Senior, Washington & Lee) together again after the game Saturday in Lexington, Va.

Photo courtsey of George Schwab

Former Charlotte Latin Star, Fletcher Gregory, Finalist for Prestigious Award

Finalists Named for 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

(Kansas City, MO) – Ten senior student-athletes who excel both on and off the field have been selected as finalists for the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the Men's Lacrosse division. Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine this year's winner, which will receive the award during the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships in Foxborough, MA.

The finalists were chosen from a list of 20 candidates based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. These four primary areas of criteria include: classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award has developed into the nation's premier tribute to college seniors. The award, which launched in 2001 with college basketball, is now in its second year for men's lacrosse. Cornell goaltender Matt McMonagle won the inaugural lacrosse division award in 2007.

The 2008 finalists are Michael Corbolotti, Cornell; Fletcher Gregory, North Carolina; Pat Grimm, Yale; Mike Leveille, Syracuse; Craig Massie, Army; Danny Nathan, Cornell; Paul Rabil, Johns Hopkins; Brad Ross, Duke; Ben Rubeor, Virginia; and Tom Scherr, Delaware.

These ten names will be placed on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award men's lacrosse ballot for a nationwide vote beginning April 3 and concluding May 5. Fan balloting, available on the award's official website www.seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award.

"These ten players are not only among the nation's best college lacrosse players, they are remarkable students and community members who have worked hard to accomplish great things both on and off the field," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. "Lowe's is proud of its affiliation with the NCAA and college athletics, and we are pleased to help honor these individuals who have displayed a commitment to excellence as true student-athletes."

The 2008 award winner will be announced and presented with the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award trophy during festivities surrounding the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships, scheduled for May 24-26. The Lowe's All-Senior All-America Team, based on final results of the balloting, will also be recognized.

The idea of an award to salute collegiate seniors was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The Senior CLASS Award was formed to honor senior student-athletes who fulfill their entire collegiate athletic eligibility, earn a college degree and give back to their community

Lowe's, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, extended the award in 2007 to include six other NCAA sports: men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse, baseball, softball, men's soccer, and women's soccer.

Fletcher in action this year versus Johns Hopkins

Christ School's Jeff Miles to Coach Team Carolina in '08

February 2008. Team Carolina annonced Monday that Christ School Head Coach, Jeff Miles will assist Adrey Kell and Team Carolina Head Coach, Tim Price this summer.  The Bel Air, MD native brings over 20 years of experience to Team Carolina.  Coach Miles played his high school lacrosse at The John Carroll School. During his career, Miles led the team in assists for two seasons and won three consecutive MIAA championships. He was also named an all conference selection.
Miles then moved on to play college lacrosse at Mars Hill where he was a two time “Most Valuable Player” and team captain. During his three year career as a midfielder, Miles accumulated 116 points, and broke the school record for groundballs in a season. He was nominated for all-american honors in his junior season.
After college, Miles was selected to the Victorian Lacrosse Association (Australia) to play and coach. While playing, Miles led his team in goals and received the “Best and Fairest Award”. In addition, he coached the under 17 Melbourne team to a 7-2 record.
In 2002, Miles founded the first high school lacrosse program in Western North Carolina at Christ School. Since that time, the Greenies have won two out of three conference championships and advanced to the state final four the past two years. In 2006. Miles was awarded both the PACIS Conference and North Carolina State "Coach of the Year" awards. In 2007, he again received the PACIS conference "Coach of the Year" award. 2008 marks the start of his seventh season at Christ School.