Mason McCormick and Tucker Large are football teammates at South Dakota State University, and their paths to the FCS National Championship game against Montana in Frisco, Texas, have a lot in common.
McCormick, a sixth-year player, is a first-team All-American guard and will leave SDSU as one of the best offensive linemen of all time. Raj, a sophomore, is a safety and is on a similar career path in terms of his annual season-ending honors.
Their responsibilities are different for a 14-0 Jackrabbit football team looking to defend the FCS national title, but the route to this national title game (Sunday, Jan. 7, 1 p.m., ABC) is Sioux Falls Roosevelt. It will go through high school. and Sanford Sports.
To take it one step further, both players worked with Sanford Sports certified strength and conditioning coach Jordan Soukup throughout their development as high school athletes. At the collegiate level, he receives continued support from the entire Sanford Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine nursing staff, led by Sanford Health team physicians Var Valentine, MD, and Chad Kurtenbach, MD.
In summary, the Sanford portion of this effort does not measure success in wins or losses, but it is something these providers are proud to support. That feels good to them during a highly successful season with one game left.
Seokpu’s guidance dates back to his high school days.
Let’s start with the Jackrabbits’ work with Soukup, who helped coach McCormick and Raj in strength and conditioning since they were in their mid-teens.
“It all started with friends who really support football and what it takes to be successful,” McCormick said. “Having a player like Jordan really made it fun to be in the weight room. We enjoyed his time together and his effort. We went to Sanford Fieldhouse and had a great time in the weight room. Being able to do all these things was great and very informative.”
Although a few years older, McCormick graduated from Roosevelt University in 2018 and Large graduated in 2021, the SDSU lineman is a safety with Large and McCormick’s younger brother Jack. I knew very well that it was based on friendship.
His older brother McCormick encouraged Raj and his younger brother Jack to play football. Raj did not play any sports as a freshman at Roosevelt University, choosing to focus on basketball. Although hesitant, he started playing football during his sophomore year and has made a big impression ever since.
“I remember seeing Tucker at Augustana Legends camp his sophomore year,” Soukup said. “He made almost every play during that scrimmage. I think he made an interception as well, and we look at that and think, ‘Oh, we have a player.’ We have playmakers. ”
Large was originally a walk-on for SDSU and was a starter for the first time in 2023, but was named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference this year. Meanwhile, McCormick will finish his time at SDSU as a three-time All-American with a potential NFL future.
“I’ve always looked at Mason like one of my older brothers,” Raj said. “He has had my back and supported me throughout my time at SDSU.”
Plus, they play like brothers. One weighs 315 pounds and the other weighs 180 pounds, but the motors are very similar.
“They both have an intensity in the way they do things,” Sokup said. “They have confidence and swagger because of their work ethic. It’s a passionate intensity, and that certainly makes me look good as a strength coach.”
A long road to success
The Jackrabbits contest with Montana will be the program’s 45thth Football games over the past three seasons. Considering the regular college season is 11 games, starting in 2021 they will be playing an entire extra season.
Regardless of what happens during the postseason, it’s difficult to keep a roster healthy as the year progresses. And the more games a team plays, the more difficult it becomes. Recognizing and respecting what it takes to develop a healthy roster that plays well into the year after Christmas requires the contributions of players, coaches and the entire Sanford and SDSU team of caretakers.
Doctors. Valentine and Kurtenbach will be joined by a staff that includes Dr. Shaina Riggs, nurse practitioner Chris Nelson, and this year will see the addition of a sideline anesthesiologist (Tim Farley or Leanna Syverhas) for both home and away games. Ta. The process began in late August for 2023, excluding fall camp and spring practice. It is expected to be completed in the first week of January.
“You need to do all the things a good athlete should do,” Dr. Valentine said. “They have to take special care when practicing load management. The season is long and playing this many games means many players have to deal with bruises, bruises and chronic conditions. become. They have to overcome them.”
McCormick enters the title game having started 53 consecutive games at SDSU. Of course, part of that can be attributed to him being good enough to break into the starting lineup early in his career. But another role is to be diligent about doing everything possible to prevent injuries.
“This is definitely a conscious effort,” McCormick said. “We always try to stay ahead of the game in the training room, but injuries always happen. It’s part of the game. We just have to work hard to get back on the field as quickly as possible. And our team’s documentation and athletic trainers give us great insight into the routes we should take to do that.”
Prevention requires expertise
Year-round commitment is essential to becoming an elite and healthy team. Emphasizing the importance of injury prevention, although difficult to measure, can be a big part of sustained success.
The Sanford medical staff working with Jackrabbit encourages several methods to optimize physical and mental performance. These injury prevention and performance strategies include working on proper nutrition, sleep hygiene, meditation, recovery, yoga, cross-training, and improved mechanics and technique.
“The Sanford staff here is doing everything they can to keep us on the field,” Large said. “It doesn’t really matter if it’s off-season or in-season. They’re doing a lot for us behind the scenes that no one’s looking at. We’re going to heal bruises and bruises, we’re going to rehabilitate them. Being able to access them for the benefit of the individual athletes is extremely helpful.”
Combining the urgency of the season with the long-term best interest will always be part of the equation for team doctors like Valentine and Kurtenbach. Injuries happen. Rehabilitation and recovery time varies depending on the injury.
“We know that injuries are inevitable during the season,” Dr. Kurtenbach said. “We always have to maintain a balance between getting our players back as quickly and safely as possible and recognizing that the ultimate goal is to be in the healthiest condition possible at the end of the season. That goal. Achieving this requires great communication between athletes, coaching staff, and sports medicine teams. This is a collaborative effort focused on what’s best for the athlete.”
Jackrabbit’s accompanying competitive success was a satisfying part of this collaboration. Soup Up will show you how it works. As a strength and conditioning coach, he has witnessed what it means to get better as an athlete and what it means to get to know teens.
“We watch people like Tucker and Mason go from being kids to adults, and we stay connected to them,” Soukup said. “You become very proud of what they’ve done, whether it’s being an athlete, going to school, starting a job or starting a family. That’s my favorite part of my job. .”
Dedicated core until finishing
By working in healthcare at an organization with a broad view of what wellness means, Soukup has been part of many success stories that align with what Raj and McCormick are accomplishing. Although the role of a physician may be different from that of a strength and conditioning coach, doctors say: Valentine and Kürtenbach have seen similar success stories.
“Sanford’s support of youth sports goes a long way in supporting the development of South Dakota’s athletes,” said Dr. Valentine. “I think there are a lot of things that Sanford University has to offer that are advantageous for kids. An example is how Sanford Health and youth programs are integrated. Physical Therapist and doctors are all able to work closely with these programs. That was a huge help for athletes like Tucker and Mason.”
Without letting their work get in the way, the team doctors are big fans of SDSU football and the people who contributed to this memorable season, including the players, coaches, and medical support colleagues.
“From a medical standpoint, we understand the expectations of this team and expect the same level of performance from our sports medicine staff,” said Dr. Kurtenbach. “Our goal is to be a top-notch medical staff that contributes to the success of the entire football team.”
Playing in 45 games in three seasons is a rare feat in college football. The Jack family, both individually and in collaboration with others, achieved several other important accomplishments on this journey.
“What stands out to me is the great group of seniors and leaders on this team,” Dr. Kurtenbach said. “This team has some players who have been foundational in building a championship culture. In my opinion, this is the most talented football team in SDSU. They are physically talented. They are great, but I was also impressed with their discipline, tenacity, mental strength and cohesion.”
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Category: healthy living