On any given weekday, a huddle of students can be found in Flintridge Prep’s athletic training room. They’re there to see Andres Alamillo, who, in a matter of minutes, has likely wrapped an ankle and a wrist, applied a few Band-Aids and ice packs and talked to a parent about an injury diagnosis. No two days look alike for

Alamillo, who is in his second year as the full-time athletic trainer at Prep. On top of his duties in the training room, Alamillo attends nearly every home game, and regularly consults with coaches on injury prevention. Alamillo, who has his master’s degree in Athletic Training from Cal State Long Beach, came to Prep two years ago from Caltech, where he was the head athletic trainer. He says his focus is the prevention and care of athletic injuries, and in just two short years he has already made a big impact on the athletic programs.

He has advised coaches on the best times for practices, on how to keep athletes hydrated and has helped create dynamic warmups and stretching activities to prevent injury. When a student does have an injury, Alamillo works with primary care physicians, specialists and parents on physical therapy regimens and helps monitor healing. And he has even taken on the role of teacher.

“The kids are so inquisitive here,” he says. When explaining injuries and taping, he says students are constantly asking about the mechanics of his work. While there is no formal student-trainer program in place, Alamillo recognizes the importance of self-assessment, and he encourages students to understand their own bodies and how awareness protects minor injuries from becoming major ones. For the last two years, Alamillo has led seniors curious about medicine, physical therapy and kinesiology in independent study projects.

Athletic Director Garrett Ohara says coaches and students have loved having Alamillo on campus. “I think when students are injured, it’s a hard thing for them to be unable to compete or practice,” Ohara says. “He has been supporting and encouraging from an emotional aspect, and that’s a key part of it. He keeps athletes’ spirits up when they’re down.”