Matuszewski steps down for Reno post

Pahrump Valley High School athletic director Larry Goins says without hesitation, "Our kids are the best cared for athletes in the state."

The person directly responsible for that is Kris Matuszewski, the trainer that Goins believes is the best in the state at any level.

Unfortunately for PVHS, Matuszewski is one of the athletic personnel leaving. Matuszewski, 31, will take over as head trainer at North Valley High School in Washoe County.

Matuszewski, a Wisconsin native, was discovered by Washoe County Director of Activities Tom Olivero during the state wrestling tournament. He was reportedly impressed with the work of Matuszewski at the time.

"Kris was a steal when we hired her," Goins said. "We were lucky to get her. She has done a great job here. We have the only full-time trainer and training program in the state at this level."

In fact, PVHS actually gives out athletic training awards. Solange Phillips and Brandi Matheny walked off with the top awards at the high school's Trojan Athletics Spring Awards Program.

But Matuszewski was so effective in developing the program that a number of students were able to take care of the minor bumps and bruises that athletes sustained during the course of the year.

Other students cited for athletic training awards were Shara Connors, Justin Gray, Marybeth Hamrick, Lisa Livingston, Merissa Mangum, Kara Morden, Jessica Musick and Vincent Czechorosky.

Pahrump Valley athletes had very little down time for minor injuries during the past four school years. Most of that credit goes to Matuszewski and her hard-working group of students.

Goins said the school hopes to find someone qualified to be a trainer, as well as to teach physical education, to replace Matuszewski.