Tending to injuries and advocating sports safety, athletic trainer Kalli Langsdorf plays a vital role in the health and safety of the Woodbridge sports community. As the sole trainer responsible for the health of all 1400 athletes on campus, Langsdorf’s dedication and support for all athletes is evident throughout her seven years at Woodbridge.

Langsdorf’s day starts early at 12 p.m. and ends late at 7 p.m., but can end even later. Often seen riding her golf cart, which seemingly has become her icon, Langsdorf is responsible for attending all the home games for each sport and tending to all injuries that can occur during the game. She brings health equipment to all home games to ensure the safety of each athlete in case of an injury. However, her job does not just end there as she is responsible for clearing injured players and keeping up with their health progress afterwards.

“I’m on call anytime for any injuries. Any coach has my number. They call me and I’m straight there on a golf cart or a car going to [tend] to it,” Langsdorf said.

As the person who knows the most about sports safety, Langsdorf is often the liaison between injuries, parents and students. She is the person who understands the most about the devastation that accompanies injuries having been a soccer player and track athlete previously.

“When kids get injured, [parents] tend to panic a lot [but I am] able to calm them down and make them understand that it’s not the end of the world and they will have their chance back at sports,” Langsdorf said.

The athletic trainer job has been a full time job at Woodbridge for only two years now. Langsdorf has been with Woodbridge High since it was a part time job. With her long history at Woodbridge, many athletes display appreciation for her dedication. Especially football because Langsdorf travels with the team for both home and away games due to the nature of their sport.

“Whenever we’re on the field, we feel really comfortable because if any of us were ever to go down, she is always there,” football player and senior Kyle Wray said. “We have a lot of faith in her.”

Coaches are also grateful for her help and watchful eye, especially because athletic trainers at high schools are usually nonexistent or are not there full time.

“We are very lucky in Irvine to have a full time athletic trainer. Not many schools have one,” athletic director and football coach Rick Gibson said. “Not only that, but Ms. Langsdorf has great work ethic. She’s here early and always stays late, so we’re very lucky to have her.”

With the joy that accompanies watching athletes progress and recover from injuries,a dark side also trails.

“Breaking news to kids that they’re done for the season is usually the hardest and trying to get parents to understand that you don’t want to push your kids too hard,” Langsdorf said. That and just watching them get injured is part of my job, but it is the hardest.”

Despite these sad moments in her career, Langsdorf believes that the work, though disheartening at times, is ultimately rewarding.

“Getting to know my students [is one of the best parts]. They’re like my kids in a sense and getting to know each one individually and as a team is interesting,” Langsdorf said. “Just having that camaraderie is cool. I come from a very large family, so having a work family is just as important to me.”