The RHS athletic department has been without an athletic trainer since Sep. 2021. After various substitute trainers, RHS added a new face to the athletic program in Jan.: athletic tranior Alex Waisnyai. 

The former athletic trainer, Robert Kambies, received a promotion earlier in 2021 and decided it was time to end his work at RHS. 

“Robet helped me a lot throughout my ankle injury, so it was sad to see him go,” senior volleyball player Dayanara Clary said. 

After growing up in Northeast Ohio, Waisnya graduated from Kent State University with a Masters of Science in Athletic Training and moved to Maryland.

 “I knew I wanted to do something in the field of medicine,”Waisnyai said. 

Waisnyai’s love for athletics started as he grew up an athlete playing football, baseball and basketball, with football being his favorite. Likewise, he enjoyed studying the body, as he took various science classes. 

“I took an anatomy class in high school, and I was really interested in the body and all of its aspects,” Waisnyai said. 

An early exposure to medicine and a love for athletics, prompted Waisnyai to begin his career as an athletic trainer. 

This may be Waisnyai’s first year as an athletic trainer, but that doesn’t stop him from interacting with students on and off the field daily. 

Waisnyai works on average 30 hours a week at RHS, attending games and practices. 

“He is here from the first event to the last event,” Athletic Director Michael Hayes said. 

“From basketball games to baseball games, Waisnyai is on the side watching every minute.”  

“This kind of environment keeps you on your toes,” Waisnyai said. “I love working in a competitive environment.”

Waisnyai assesses all kinds of injuries from the most common ankle sprain to concussions. He is training athletes to also be proactive by helping prevent injuries with daily stretching, and aerobic exercise. In addition, Waisnyai wants to advise athletes to know their limits and when it’s time to take a step back.  

As the spring season begins, Waisnyai is excited to get back outdoors, after a season of being indoors. From the first crack of the bat, Waisnyai will be assessing injuries on the diamond and around the turf. 

Furthermore, Waisnyai hopes to create stronger relationships with students as he enters the next season and beyond. 

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Waisnyai said.