University of the Cumberlands Wrestler has a Returning Case of MRSA

Darby Newman, a member of the UC Lady Patriots wrestling team, came in contact with MRSA on Friday, September 6.

MRSA is a skin infection seen fairly regularly in wrestlers. Newman’s case of MRSA is on her right shin. Upon first noticing the abnormality on her leg, she simply said, “It itches and hurts really bad.” She then shrugged it off and went on with her business.

By the next day, it had grown in size and the pain had increased. Newman’s teammates demanded that she go get it looked at by a professional. She visited the athletic trainers on Saturday, September 7, after which, she received medication for her skin infection. She is had been obligated to stay off of the wrestling mat until a professional examined her skin and told her that she was no longer a carrier of the infection, she is no longer contagious, and that it is safe for her to return to practice.

The rest of the Lady Patriots must take special precautions to avoid the disease. As soon as practice is over, the girls are required to shower in the bathroom of the wrestling room. Most of them use antibacterial soap to help fight any infections that might be resting on their skin. Coach Donnie Stephens said, “If you wore it at practice, you don’t wear it again until it had been washed.”

Newman’s MRSA had now returned, and she is off the mat once again. The girls and coaches fear that the infection might spread to the rest of the team.

 

Newman the day of one of her final competitions during her senior year.