Apr 7, 2025Detroit track coaches save student-athlete who suffered cardiac arrest
Two Detroit track coaches’ quick thinking helped save a student-athlete who was suffering a cardiac arrest.
On March 12, a 14-year-old student-athlete was warming up during a track practice at Allen Park High School when the event occurred. The two coaches administered CPR and called emergency responders to take her to a nearby hospital.
A recent story from WWNYTV.com detailed the coaches’ heroics and the response from the student-athlete’s family. Below is an excerpt from WWNYTV.com.
The 14-year-old later learned that she had gone into sudden cardiac arrest.
“I was very grateful to be even awake, but it was also scary to know that happened to me,” she said.
It was a surreal moment, especially for the athlete, as she had never shown any signs of a heart problem previously.
“She does her sports physical every year for sports activities in high school and middle school. So, this was sprung upon us and we had no idea,” her mother, Kelly Dolan, said.
As she recovers, two Allen Park track coaches are being called heroes. After she had gone unresponsive at practice, they quickly performed CPR and used an AED.
“It got her heart rhythm back before emergency crews arrived. Those critical seconds changed my life, my daughter’s life, and it saved her life,” Dolan said.
Being ready to respond during a medical emergency is something Allen Park High School’s Athletic Director James Victor says they take very seriously.
