Bay City Tribune

Bay City athletic trainers Miranda Burton and Adrienne Horton have their hands full taking care of 700 athletes during a school year.

Burton a 2000 graduate of Valliant, Oklahoma, did her undergraduate school at Eastern Central University in Ada, Ok.

She played basketball and softball in high school. She had planned on being a physical therapist but chose to get into training. She helped out in football, basketball and soccer at college.

This is Burton's third year as the head trainer in Bay City after she did her graduate work at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls.

"I love this career," said Burton. "I love the sports part and the kids. I like helping the kids and getting them better and back on the field."

"I'm in the training room all the time. We put in a lot of hours with games and everything."

"We see concussions, seizures, ankle sprains and a lot more."

Horton graduated from North Crowley High School in Fort Worth and got her degree from Baylor in 2008. She played basketball in high school and Lacrosse at Baylor.

This is her first year at Bay City.

"I like the kids and love the people I work with," said Horton. "The kids keep me entertained 24-7."

"You can't work and not have fun doing what you do for a living."

Horton teaches health and physical education courses during the day before the athletic period.

"I like the high school age kids."

Burton is also in charge of securing around 10 student trainers who assist in a variety of ways throughout the year.

"We have them wrap ankles, use first aid and take care of hydration," said Burton,

"We assign a student to the sports and they have a lot of responsibilities."

Burton's duties include paper work, keeping the athletes hydrated and nutrition.

Sports, including football, volleyball, tennis and cross country, keep Burton and Horton constantly on the go, They say it's much busier in the spring with basketball, soccer, softball, track and baseball.

They attend host home sporting events during the year and put in a lot of hours.

"I love being around sports," said Burton.

Other duties include wrapping ankles, applying heat and using the whirlpool.

If there's an injury on the field or the court, Horton reacts quickly to the situation.

"I had to get used to that," said Horton. "I look at what Miranda's reaction is and I react off of her. I try to keep a hawk eye on them."