When the nation’s best athletes perform, ATI is there to help keep them moving. Once again, ATI will serve as the official physical therapy provider for the McDonald’s All-American Games. Four of ATI’s Sports Medicine Athletic Trainers will travel to Phoenix for the big game and split their time between the all-star teams with help from three of ATI’s PT Sports Residents.

“I am most excited and very honored to be given the opportunity to represent ATI at the McDonalds All-American Games!” Samuel Almendarez, an ATC from ATI’s Illinois market, said when asked about the event. “Traveling for this game and being around the media and high-profile athletes resembles the experiences I had while working with the Chicago Sky. This will be a lot of fun!”

In Phoenix, Almendarez will be joined by fellow ATC Marcus Olson, of Alabama. There, they will provide care for the boys’ team. At the same time, ATCs Cally Beltz and Rebecca Egan, both from the ATI Illinois Sports Medicine team, will oversee and treat the girls’ team. Three of ATI’s PT Sports Residents, Logan Hopkins, Ethan Mychaijlonka, and Tamatoa Neher, who are there to receive observation hours, will also join the athletic trainers for additional support.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to help support these athletes as they embark on their college careers. I’ve worked with professional basketball for eight-plus years but never at this elite high school level,” Bentz said. “There’s something really special about seeing these kids truly take in and enjoy their moments and be kids before it turns into a job and the joy goes away.”