Kat Mabry
An ambulance was called to Pierce College Wednesday afternoon to assist a high school cross country athlete from Pasadena who experienced an asthma attack during her race.
Karla Maldonado, a 16-year-old junior from Marshall Fundamental High School was assisted by paramedics who provided her with an inhaler to stabilize her attack, while she had misplaced hers.
Coed Varsity High School Cross Country teams met at Pierce in 92 degree heat for their league finals.
Within the past two months, heat has played a major roll in the outcome of CIF meets held at Pierce for high school cross country athletes. Not more than one month ago, twelve students were taken off the course in ambulances due to heat exhaustion.
Maldonado did not leave in the ambulance, but left in a private car, according to coach Eric Mulfinger.
Maldonado had only been diagnosed with asthma a few months prior to Wednesday’s event. She was most upset that her parents found out about her asthmatic condition.
She was concerned that her parents wouldn’t let her run anymore, according to Mulfinger.
Maldonado’s teammates were very supportive of her absence and concerned.
“She’s been really sick lately and ran anyway,” said Chloe Leadetter, 16, teammate and friend.
Though one athlete was effected by today’s heat, close to 155 kids ran and completed the meet successfully.
“It’s [heat] one of those uncontrollable things that you have to prepare your students mentally for,” said Marty Vallejos, Coach at Calvary Chapel High School in Downey. “As coaches that’s the most we can do to prepare them for these situations.”