Archive for August, 2011

Nicole Winiger and John Kowalski completed climbs to the summits of Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams this summer. They were joined by Suzanne Gerhart for the ascent of Adams.

Winiger, Kowalski and Gerhart are employed as physical therapists at Longview Physical & Sports Therapy.

Winiger, Kowalski and another climber connected for the St. Helens climb on June 25th. Conditions were sunny and clear.

Kowalski said they learned a valuable lesson about mountaineering on the St. Helens climb: “The spot that looks like the top is not likely to be the top.”

Winiger, Kowalski and Gerhart topped Adams on July 31st.

Winiger (left) and Kowalski (right) atop St. Helens

(L-R) Winiger, Gerhart and Kowalski at Adams

Dave Knoeppel of Longview Physical & Sports Therapy delivered two presentations at The Rock 2011 Coaches Clinic at Castle Rock High School on August 15th.

Knoeppel, who is both a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer, conducted a morning session titled “Injury Assessment – When Your Trainer Isn’t There.” He later led a discussion about concussion assessment.

Other sessions included “Working with the Media” (Ben Zimmerman, the Daily News), “Coaching Out of Season – Regulations” (John Miller, WIAA), “Sports Nutrition Game Plan” (Emily Edison, University of Washington), and “Athletes and Burnout” (Aaron McCoy, LaCenter High School).

First aid/CPR training certification was also offered.

Knoeppel graduated from the University of Kansas in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He later completed masters programs at the University of Arizona (athletic training) and the University of Indianapolis (physical therapy).

He is a licensed physical therapist and a certified athletic trainer and a member of both the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Dave Knoeppel of Longview Physical & Sports Therapy

Ed Earnest has a full plate during the summer months.

In addition to his work as a certified athletic trainer at Longview Physical & Sports Therapy, Earnest has been involved with the Cowlitz Black Bears, Cowlitz Pro Rodeo, and coursework that will enhance his professional credentials.

Ed Earnest of Longview Physical & Sports Therapy

Earnest is in his second year as the Black Bears’ athletic trainer. His duties include injury evaluations, treatments in the clinic, and referrals to internal medicine or orthopedics.

“We had a bad collision the first week when the center and left fielders collided,” Earnest said. “The left fielder suffered a shoulder separation and was out for about 10 weeks. The center fielder was transported to the hospital. They discovered he had a fracture in the thoracic vertebrae that required a back brace.”

This is the sixth year Ed has volunteered to provide athletic training coverage at the Cowlitz Pro Rodeo. He coordinates with EMTs and physicians on site and assists with stretching and minor triage.

But sometimes the work turns serious.

“Three years ago, a bull rider got stepped on,” Earnest said. “I followed him out of the arena and Dr. Eric Hansen (Longview Orthopedic Associates) saw him and recommended that he go to the hospital. The guy refused because he had no insurance, but the EMTs offered him a free ride so that he could get checked out. He ended up having surgery for a fractured liver.”

Ed is also taking online classes through Whatcom Community College to earn Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) certification.

Longview Physical & Sports Therapy is located at Pacific Surgical Institute.