VIDEO: Concussion Victims Speak at GMHS
March 2, 2012 by Falls Church Times Staff · 2 Comments
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
March 2, 2012
George Mason High School Trainer Vicki Galliher included student concussion victims and their parents in a compelling presentation at GMHS last week on the causes and effects of this common traumatic brain injury.
Galliher also included detailed representations of healthy and concussed brains and a video of former LaSalle University athlete Preston Plevretes, who in failing to allow a first concussion to heal before resuming play, set himself up for a tragic “second-impact” syndrome. Once a specimen of athletic prowess, the hard hit that Plevretes took in his fourth game following the initial injury left him extremely disabled and barely able to speak. Today he spends most of his time silently sitting in a wheelchair in his parents’ home.
To help avoid second-impact syndrome among GMHS students, Galliher became a pioneer in the adoption of “neurocognitive” testing among high schools. Using a computer-based program developed at the University of Pittsburgh Health Center, Galliher tests GMHS athletes before they begin high-risk sports in order to form a “baseline” of their healthy-state cognitive abilities, allowing her to retest an affected athlete later if a concussion is suspected in order to look for changes in their cognitive abilities which would indicate a brain injury. One parent and youth coach related that it was Galliher’s testing, rather than a doctor’s examination, which detected his son’s concussion.
An significant part of the presentation focused on detection and recovery. When Galliher’s testing methodology shows a concussion has occurred, Galliher has the athlete retake the test periodically until he or she has again reached the baseline performance level, indicating full recovery. In the interim, the Mason trainer supervises a modified study curriculum for the student, excluding physical activity and brain-draining everyday activities like using a computer or watching television.
But it was the words of two current GMHS athletes who have suffered concussions, and the accounts of their parental care requirements, that left the audience spellbound and teary-eyed. One of the young men, still recovering from the injury, described the difficulties he has faced while his brain heals. The second student, a victim of four concussions, related his decision to give up a sport he loves rather than risk long term memory loss.
The video, provided courtesy of FCC-TV, is one hour 30 minutes long.
FC Wrestler 2nd in VA
February 29, 2012 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
February 29, 2012
Despite few opportunities for match play this year, George Mason High School 8th grader Hunter Sulc captured second place in the Virginia Middle School State Wrestling Championships in Richmond last Saturday.
Sulc, who trained with the GMHS Varsity this season, didn’t get a lot of matches because 8th graders are ineligible for varsity competition. Aside from the occasional exhibition match, he was limited to practice sessions.
But Hunter was eligible to wrestle in the Virginia Middle School State Wrestling Championships in Richmond on February 25th and took full advantage of the opportunity. Read more
Mason Girls Fall Short in Regional Championship
By STEVEN BRIESE
February 26, 2012
The George Mason High School Girls Basketball team lost to Stuarts Draft, 51-39, last night in the Region B Tournament Championship Game. The game was played at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg.
The Mustangs had a great start to the game, hitting their first three shots, plus Senior Lauren Kane blocking three shots, to open up a 6-3 lead. The Mustangs and the Cougars matched basket for basket through the rest of the first and second quarters, with Mason leading 23-19 at the half.
As the third quarter started, Stuarts Draft started sinking three point shots, and took the lead from Mason. The Cougars finished with 27 of their 51 points from three point range. Mason started a comeback in the fourth, but could not overcome a 12 point deficit. Read more
Mason Boys Drop Regional Final, Head to State Tourney
February 26, 2012 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
February 26, 2012
George Mason High School fell to Dan River in overtime, 67-60, Saturday night in the finals of the Region B boys basketball tournament.
Mason led by one point at the half, and the game was tied, 53-53, at the end of regulation.
As the top two teams from the Region, both teams qualified for the State tournament. The Mustangs will play Essex High School in the State quarterfinals this week.
Mustang Girls Defeat Central Woodstock to Advance to Regional Championship Game
By STEVEN BRIESE
February 24, 2012
The George Mason High School Girls Basketball team defeated Central Woodstock 54-46 on Friday night. With this victory, they advance to the Region B championship game on Saturday.
Mason came out of the gate fast, with Senior Leah Roth starting the scoring with a three pointer. Good defensive pressure and offensive rebounding had the Lady Mustangs in the lead by 16-6 at the end of the first quarter. Both teams played with intensity, with many scrums for loose balls and offensive fouls. Mason extended their lead to twenty one points in the second quarter, and went into halftime leading 36-19.
Central Woodstock fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Mason by 10 points and cutting Mason’s lead to only seven points. Coach LaBryan Thomas made several adjustments to start the fourth quarter, and those adjustments paid dividends. Senior Lauren Kane opened the fourth with a shot from beyond the arc for three, and Stephanie Cheney added two baskets from the low post to increase the lead to 13. Central Woodstock continued to threaten, but had to resort to fouling in the last two minutes. Senior Krista Kelly was fouled and sank both free throws with less than a minute left to put the game out of reach for the Falcons.
Central Woodstock double teamed Junior Stephanie Cheney all night, which opened up the opportunity for three point shots, with Mason scoring 18 points from three point range.
After the game, Stephanie Cheney said she was “happy that the team kept our composure at the end of the game and hit our free throws.” Cheney and Central Woodstock guard Katelyn Poston led the scoring with 15 points each. Sophomore Ashley Alexander scored nine, Lauren Kane tallied eight, Freshman Katie Goodwin had seven points, and Leah Roth six points.
The Mustangs will play for the Region B Championship on Saturday night at 8:00 at Eastern Mennonite University against Stuarts Draft.
Mustang Boys Beat Stuarts Draft in Regional Basketball Semifinal
February 24, 2012 by Falls Church Times Staff · 1 Comment
Mustangs Celebrate After Nipping Stuarts Draft
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
Photos by ANDREW NICKLE
February 24, 2012
Lady Mustangs Win Regional Opener, Move on to Semifinal
February 22, 2012 by (see byline) · 1 Comment
By STEVEN BRIESE
February 22, 2012
The George Mason High School girls basketball team defeated Goochland High School 68-35 Wednesday night in the first round of the Region B Tournament, earning a spot in Friday’s Regional semifinal.
In the game played at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, the Bulldogs of Goochland started fast, hitting their first two shots to take a 5-0 lead. Mason Coach LaBryan Thomas encouraged his team to tighten the defense and saw the results right away. Three consecutive fast break baskets later, Mason was ahead 8-5, on the way to a 19-0 run. Mason ended the first quarter leading 23-7.
The Mustangs continued the pressure in the second quarter. Freshman Ava Roth finished the quarter with two steals that she took straight to the hoop to send Mason into the break leading 40-19.
The Lady Mustangs used their three point shooting in the third quarter to increase their lead to 30 points after back to back field goals by Sophomores Juliana Rollo and Jaya Chavern. Coach Thomas then gave the starters some well deserved rest and tried several combinations on the floor.
Senior Lauren Kane led all scorers with 18 points in her last game on the hardwood at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Stephanie Cheney tallied 13, Ashley Alexander scored 10, and Freshman Katie Goodwin added eight. The balanced scoring for the Lady Mustangs was completed by Jaya Chavern with five points, Ava Roth with four points, Leah Roth and Juliana Rollo with three each, and Taylor Briese with two.
The Lady Mustangs continue their pursuit of a return trip to the State Tournament with a 7pm game at Strasburg High School Friday night.
WEDNESDAY, 2/22: GMHS Trainer to Present Concussion Info
February 22, 2012 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
George Mason High School Athletic Trainer Vicki Galliher will present information on the effect of concussions on student athletes Thursday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mustang Cafe at GMHS.
Galliher’s presentation will include a discussion of the following topics.
- What happens to the brain when it sustains a concussion?
- Why is a concussion more dangerous for an adolescent or teenager versus an adult?
- How does a concussion affect academic performance?
- What’s the difference between post-concussion syndrome versus second-impact syndrome
- What’s the best way to assess the severity of a concussion?
- How will you know when the concussion has healed?
- What are the long-term health and medical implications for kids who sustain multiple concussions?
For additional information about the program, please email Coach Galliher.
