OSKALOOSA, Iowa — As Oskaloosa's Cora Snakenberg warmed up for the shot put at a recent track and field meet, a stray discus threw her plans in a completely different direction.
A student at the East Marshall High School event, who had been volunteering, had been hit in the back of the head with a discus and was bleeding.
"I just remember putting my shotput down," Snakenberg told Local 5 News. "Walking over and hearing a collective gasp from everyone. And everyone's looking in the same direction and someone is out there. Who's obviously in need of help 'cause there's blood rushing from his head and it's all over his hands."
The sophomore used skills learned as a lifeguard to assess the situation, try to stop the bleeding and keep everyone calm as help arrived.
"I was just trying to talk myself through it. You know, I just couldn't believe that I was actually holding onto someone's open wound," she said. "It hasn't really left my mind. It was a really shocking experience."
Her teammate brought over a towel, and she got to work applying pressure and making sure the injured student was coherent.
“He was conscious. He was talking a little bit. He definitely was stunned," Snakenberg said. "No one was really going out to help him."
According to East Marshall High School's Athletic Director Scott Wheater, the student was treated, released and back in the classroom the next day, an outcome he credits to Snakenberg.
"We appreciate her help. It helped control the blood and the bleeding," Wheater said. "It shows her character, the fact that she stepped in when something was needed, and she didn't hesitate to help. It shows her character and her initiative to do what's right."
It's a full circle teaching moment for Snakenberg's coach Betsy Luck, who also praised her quick thinking and responsive attitude.
"I just like to have all my girls like try to be leaders any way they can," coach Luck said. "You know, how can you make a situation better? And [Cora's] had the training as a lifeguard to help in these situations."
For Snakenberg, the situation was a chance to put her training into practice.
"I think I just had the most knowledge about this," she said. "But it's nice to know that I was able to think fast, so it just makes me feel more assured. If this were to happen on the job, I'd be able to handle it appropriately."