<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0FoZbn_1GzC0PsH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0FoZbn_1GzC0PsH00" width="1662" height="2001" ><figcaption>Medomak Valley athletic trainer Christopher Wight tends to an injured player during a soccer game on Sept. 8 in Waldoboro. (Mic LeBel photo)</figcaption></figure>With the fall sports season behind him, Christopher Wight is looking forward to what the rest of the athletic seasons have to bring. In August, Wight began his new job as the first in-house athletic trainer for Medomak Valley High School and Medomak Middle School.The South China native and Erskine Academy graduate is a full-on sports enthusiast who earned an undergraduate degree in exercise science at Husson University in 2022 and a master’s degree in athletic training in 2025 at the University of Southern Maine. Wight’s first job as a certified and licensed athletic trainer was during the 2025-2026 academic year at Bates College as part of their Transition to Practice program.“During my tenure at Bates, my primary assignment was working with the Bates football program in the fall,” said Wight. “In the spring, I worked in the outpatient office of St Mary’s Orthopedics as an athletic trainer and performed other sports assignments at Bates College on an as-needed basis.”According to Athletic Director Matt Lash, Medomak Valley used to contract for athletic trainer services with Pen Bay Sports Medicine, now known as MaineHealth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine-Rockport. About five years ago, the organization informed Lash it was phasing out athletic trainer positions.After the contract ended, RSU 40 began hiring a patchwork of athletic trainers, including Megan Day, of Lincoln Academy, and Mary Britt, of Oceanside High School, to cover sports events on a per diem basis. Lash noted Waldoboro EMS Chief Derek Booker and the service’s crew did a solid job at filling in at almost every home event over the last three years.“We decided that our best option was to create our own athletic trainer position, and the school board supported it and put it in the budget” said Lash. “While Megan and Mary have been extremely helpful providing support, not having a full-time athletic trainer here every day to help athletes work through injuries and minor ailments was deeply missed. Having Chris on board has benefited the student athletes for sure.”Most fans that watch sports are not familiar with the full range of duties for a sports trainer professional like Wight.“Some see us as glorified water boys rather than the licensed, allied healthcare professionals that we are,” said Wight. “Some of the things I work on behind the scenes that most people don’t see are the countless hours spent on administrative work such as creating and implementing injury prevention programs, creating rehab plans for the athletes, filling out documentation for injury evaluations, speaking with parents and guardians, and fulfilling continuing education requirements.”Lash agrees that the athletic trainer services that fans see during sports games are only one aspect of what they do on a regular basis.“Chris’s first duties for us were helping to establish athletic training protocols and policies, and helping to update the athletics emergency action plan,” said Lash. “Chris provides event and practice coverage, refers student athletes to other health care professionals and communicates with parents and staff regarding injuries. He is also involved in the recovery process, assisting them to get back to action.”Wight said he was had a pair of role models that inspired him toward his career as an athletic trainer. “My uncle John Ryan has been an inspiration and mentor for me,” said Wight of the former certified athletic trainer at Bangor High, who is currently the athletic trainer at South Portland High School.“The second role model I looked up to was Chris Sementelli, my high school athletic trainer, who I not only got to observe during my time as a student at Erskine Academy but also when I returned as a student during a clinical rotation for my master’s degree.”Wight’s other inspiration is his passion for sports of all kinds.“Growing up, I was actively involved in numerous sports all the way through middle and high school including soccer, basketball, baseball, and track and field,” said Wight. “My family avidly watched all the New England pro sports teams including the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots.”In terms of credentials, Wight has a master’s degree, is board certified, is a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Maine, and is orthopedic physician extender certified.“My official signature that I use is pretty long and contains a lot of the alphabet,” said Wight. “It is Christopher Wight MS LAT ATC OPE-C.”Wight’s tenure at Medomak Valley has gotten off to a good start as the sports community – adjusts to the benefits and opportunities, as well as the protocols and requirements, involved with having a full-time athletic trainer continuously monitoring the well being of the athletes.“Chris has brought a strong work ethic and desire to get to know our school, community and people,” said Lash. “There has been an adjustment period for everyone in our program, including student athletes and parents. Without a trainer, they have not been used to many of the procedures and expectations that come with having a person in that position. Chris has managed that well.”Wight cherishes his work in the field of athletics, including seeing the patients from on-field injuries through rehabilitation and eventual return to play. He has been pleasantly surprised by how much he has enjoyed getting to know the Medomak student athletes as people instead of just patients.“Being able to build relationships with the student athletes and getting to see them as they progress through their lives, succeeding not only athletically but academically and personally, has been very rewarding,” said Wight. “It is also pretty special to be with them from their lowest moments, such as a serious injury, through the rehabilitation process and then to see them step on that field or court again playing the sports they love.”Wight said it is hard to pick a favorite moment during the Medomak fall sports season.“If I had to choose one memory from my time at Medomak so far it would have to be the Class C quarterfinal volleyball game that we hosted,” said Wight. “The atmosphere was electric and to see the students leave it all on the court was very endearing to watch.”There is one sport, according to Wight, that stands out as the busiest and most challenging for an athletic trainer to cover for Medomak Valley so far. “Football as a sport has so many moving components, so it presents unique challenges for athletic trainers when compared to other sports,” said Wight.With one full sports season at Medomak now complete, Wight said he is looking forward to the upcoming winter season.“I am most looking forward to being able to continue working with the athletes and building rapport with them,” said Wight. “It is rewarding that some of the athletes have said that it is nice to have an athletic trainer.”When he is not working, Wight enjoys spending time with friends and family and pursuing hobbies including hiking, fishing, and camping.</div></body>

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With the fall sports season behind him, Christopher Wight is looking forward to what the rest of the athletic seasons have to bring. In August, Wight began his new job as the first in-house athletic trainer for Medomak Valley High School and Medomak Middle School. The South China native and...

Medomak Valley Athletic Trainer Settling In

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With the fall sports season behind him, Christopher Wight is looking forward to what the rest of the athletic seasons have to bring. In August, Wight began

Medomak Valley Athletic Trainer Settling In

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