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Unsung support staff strengthens Tigers’ football program
It’s typically the players and coaches who soak up the spotlight, but pitching in to ensure everything runs smoothly are the team managers and trainers.
The Nevada High School football program has a pair of team managers and an athletic trainer devoted to their craft — Kaeth Zachary, Sydnee Brandt, and Kaylee Peery.
“It’s nice to have them,” said Nevada head coach Wes Beachler of the team-managers. “It’s just one less thing for the coaches to worry about — is the water. They do a good job of getting over here right after school (for practice). They’re very committed and dedicated, they do a great job on Friday nights. We really appreciate them, because they come over here and do their work. We try to take the time to notice them and appreciate them, but we probably don’t do that enough.”
Added Beachler: “They just do a great job of taking care of the water issues, and making sure we have stuff ready to roll for practice — it’s just one less thing off our plate. We’re so wrapped in getting ready for practice, and getting out there, and getting started that we probably don’t show our appreciation for them enough. But we really do appreciate all they do.”
The Daily Mail recently interviewed the trio, with the transcript provided below.
Q: How many years have you worked with the Nevada football team in your particular role?
Kaeth Zachary, NHS senior: “I’ve been with the football team for two years. I played volleyball my freshman and sophomore years, and started coming to (football) practice after volleyball season ended and football was still in districts.”
Sydnee Brandt, NHS senior: “Three years. I played tennis my freshman year.”
Kaylee Peery, athletic trainer: “This is my fourth school year as athletic trainer for Nevada High School/Cottey College.”
Q: What do you like most about your job with the team?
KZ: “Game days. Especially home games when the student-section is loud and the boys are having fun on the sideline — and Sydnee and I can joke around and have fun too without getting dirty looks like we do when we’re losing.
“I love the game of football and being around it, and I have been my whole life. I’m only a (team) manager because my parents won’t let me play football.”
SB: “Game days. The time prior to kick off when it’s just Kaeth, Kaylee and I joking around and hanging out.”
KP: “My favorite part about my job is watching my athletes succeed. Whether it be coming back from an injury, or just getting an ‘A’ on that hard test they were worried about. It’s my job to care for these kids, (and) not just on the field or court.”
Q: What are the most important aspects related to your role with the team? Take me through a normal day?
KZ: “On a normal practice day, Sydnee and I get to the fieldhouse after school and fill the water coolers with ice and water — then fill up the bottles and have them ready by the time the players are done warming up.
“Occasionally, if Kaylee is taking care of other fall sports athletes — I’ll have to run (back) to the fieldhouse and grab tape for a player that has a cut that’s bleeding, or a jammed finger.
“On game days, we get to the fieldhouse and fill water bottles the same as we would for practice, and we are on the sidelines with it while the boys are going through their pre-game warm-ups. Games are fun, because Sydnee and I can be goofy together during them, as long as we make sure to pay attention to timeouts and are on the field with water for the boys.”
SB: “Really, our job is not that complicated. Coaches help us a lot, especially with the heavy lifting. Our job is to keep the bottles filled, and within arms length of the guys. For practices, we take the bottles out to the (respective) groups, but during the games we just try to stay close to the coaches so that the guys can get water coming off the field.”
KP: “On game day, I normally arrive to the field house around the same time as the guys and start taping. We have to be done in time to have them on the field to warm up on time. Then, I just watch until the game starts. Prior to (kick off) I usually introduce myself to the (visitors) athletic trainer and discuss our spine-boarding process — and mention we also have Dr. (Ben) Wilson on the sidelines, and explain where EMS will be stationed. During the game I just watch, and afterward we cut tape off and ice down the guys. If there’s any major injuries Dr. Wilson and I re-evaluate and come up with a plan for treatment after the game as well.”
Q: What are the biggest challenges in your role with the team?
KZ: “One of the biggest challenges is on days when it’s hot — keeping the water (supply) full at all times. The boys get frustrated (in the heat) and the coaches get frustrated with the boys for being tired and hot. So we just try our best to make sure that there is water at all of the drills.
“It’s hard when all of the coaches tell their boys to get water at the same time, because then we have to try to keep up.”
SB: “The long, hot practice days. The guys go through water like crazy. And sometimes we get the brunt of (their) frustrations.”
KP: “My biggest challenge is — there’s only one ‘me’ and several sports/schools practicing/playing at one time. I hate disappointing anyone — and making someone feel less important. So it’s hard to tell them they get sports coverage over you, because I tend to go with the most impact — most likely (sport) to have an injury. And then, if that’s not a deciding factor I just spend a certain amount of time at each game/event/practice.”
Q: What’s your fondest memory during your time with the football team?
KZ: “One of the fondest memories with the team is just being around some of my best friends a lot of the time during the season. I’ve gotten really close with the guys, and I know that I’ll have some of them around forever as close friends.
“Bus rides with Sydnee are always fun, and I love getting to joke around with the coaches and have a good time during the pre-game warm-ups with Kaylee too.
“(Senior strong safety) Tanner Gotschall is one of my best friends as well. So getting to hang out with him on the sidelines when we are on offense, and having to tie his shoes for him every once in a while is pretty fun too.”
SB: “Not exactly with the team, but the summer going into sophomore year — Kaylee and I would go to Zumba classes in-between two-a-day practices. It was so fun.”
KP: “My favorite memory actually deals with former Nevada head football coach (Erik) Yoakam. (Yoakam) sprained his ankle really bad, and I made him put it in the ice-bath. He was not happy with me at all. I got some good laughs during those 10 minutes.”
Q: Do you get a sense that your work with the players makes a difference, and if so, explain why?
KZ: “Well, yes. I get a sense that my role is important to them, because all of the boys yell at me when I have to miss practice for work, or something else. They always tell me how much better water tastes at practice when it’s hot outside, and the same couple of guys tell me ‘thank you’ every time, and I appreciate them.
“If we weren’t here filling up water bottles — I guess the coaches, or some of the guys who are hurt would have to do it. And I’m sure nobody else would do it as good as Syd and I can.”
SB: “We keep the guys hydrated, so I know it plays an important factor. They say ‘thank you’ most of the time. I know if we weren’t there getting their bottles filled up as fast as we do they would be dropping like flies — which makes Kaylee’s job harder.”
KP: “I know what I do is important. There isn’t much glory when it comes to being an athletic trainer. We are there to be in the background, waiting for something to happen. And when it does, that’s when we do our job and get the kid back on the field, and then go back to the shadows. My goals are to get the kids back ASAP, and hopefully I can help mom and dad save some money in the process.”
Q: Any final thoughts?
KZ: “I want to thank everyone who does so much for the community by supporting all of the sports and activities that we have to offer around here. I’ve been extremely blessed to grow up in this town, with people who jump at the chance to make sure the students here have what they need to be successful in their clubs, sports, or in other ways they choose to get involved. My time as a Nevada Tiger is going by so fast, and I’ve loved every second of it.”
SB: “I miss when my brother (Chaden Brandt) played football here. I was always around football cause my brother played, and when he left I just stayed with it. I enjoy it most of the time. Being around my friends helps.”
Editor’s note: Beachler was asked about the team-managers and not the trainer (Peery), as Zachary and Brandt are non-employees of Nevada R-5.