South Tahoe High's Sports Medicine Students Compete at Regional Competition

STHS Sports Medicine pathway prepares students for real-world healthcare careers through hands-on training and national competition experience.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:38am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of various sports medicine supplies like bandages, tape, and first aid kits, repeated in a tight grid pattern to create a modern pop art aesthetic.The STHS Sports Medicine team's national competition experience mirrors the real-world competency exams that future healthcare professionals will face, building confidence and clinical skills.South Lake Tahoe Today

South Tahoe High School's Sports Medicine CTE program took 17 students to compete in the annual AACI California Regional Sports Medicine Competition in Los Angeles, representing their school and community. The team placed 9th out of more than 50 schools and 750 competing students, showcasing the program's focus on building clinical excellence and hands-on preparedness through courses, student athletic training, and an 8-week internship at Barton Memorial Hospital.

Why it matters

The Sports Medicine CTE program at STHS provides students with valuable real-world experience and a meaningful head start on future healthcare careers. The national competition mirrors the competency exams that certified Athletic Trainers and Emergency Medical Responders rely on, giving students a taste of the high-pressure situations they may face in their future professions.

The details

The STHS Sports Medicine CTE program's four sequenced courses culminate in Sports Med 4, which includes an eight-week internship at Barton Memorial Hospital where students shadow medical professionals across multiple departments. Prior to the competition, Sports Med 2 and 3 students logged months as Student Trainers at STHS athletic events and completed focused preparation and study sessions to sharpen their skills in anatomy, physiology, injury pathology, taping/wrapping techniques, first-aid protocols, and injury assessment.

  • The STHS Sports Medicine CTE program has been one of the most popular Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs at the school for the past 13 years.
  • In April 2026, the STHS Sports Medicine team traveled to Los Angeles to compete in the annual AACI California Regional Sports Medicine Competition.

The players

South Tahoe High School

A public high school located in South Lake Tahoe, California that offers a popular Sports Medicine CTE program.

Isaiah Tannaci

The Sports Medicine Instructor who has directed the STHS Sports Medicine CTE program for over a decade, building a culture of clinical excellence and hands-on preparedness.

Barton Memorial Hospital

The hospital where STHS Sports Med 4 students complete an 8-week internship, shadowing medical professionals across multiple departments.

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What they’re saying

“The energy of being in a big competition is something you can't replicate in a classroom.”

— Isaiah Tannaci, Sports Medicine Instructor

What’s next

The STHS Sports Medicine team plans to continue competing in the annual AACI California Regional Sports Medicine Competition, aiming to build on their 9th place finish and gain even more real-world experience to prepare them for future careers in healthcare.

The takeaway

The STHS Sports Medicine CTE program is providing students with a meaningful head start on future healthcare careers, equipping them with hands-on training, clinical competencies, and the high-pressure experience of competing against top programs from across the region.