WINTER HAVEN – Through a new partnership with Watson Clinic, Polk State College athletes are now getting top-of-the-line coverage when it comes to sports medicine.

Polk State Athletics and the Lakeland-based family health and medical center inked a two-year deal this fall. The agreement provides for two on-site trainers at the College, allowing for Polk State's student-athletes to get medical attention before and after practice and on the spot in the event of injury.

"I've been thrilled with what I've seen from our trainers and for this partnership with Watson Clinic," said Randy Lee, Polk State Director of Athletics. "Our student-athletes are getting excellent care on a daily basis. We're incredibly fortunate to have them here at Polk State."

Meet the trainers

Athletic Trainer Greg Catrett arrived at Polk State with 24 years of experience in the field. Catrett did contracted work at ESPN's Wide World of Sports before spending eight years at Warner University in Lake Wales and 11 at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

"The interactions with athletes and getting them healthy is extremely rewarding," Catrett said. "I love athletics in general. It's great to have a small part in the success of athletes and teams."

Josh Flannery is in his 27th year as an athletic trainer. A native of Wisconsin, Flannery got his start in sports medicine as an intern with Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs in 1998. He later worked at Kenosha Christian Life School in Wisconsin for three years before spending 11 at Lawrence Academy, a boarding school in Groton, Mass. After 11 years at Southeastern where he served as Associate Head Trainer and Director of Football, Flannery has been at Watson Clinic for a year.

"I love working with athletes," he explained. "We get to see them at their best and at their worst. When they're at their worst, it's our job and privilege to get them back to their best. We work with them physically and mentally. There's a big psychological process that comes with recovering from injury. It's rewarding to see them bounce back to where they were before or maybe better than they were before and to build those relationships."

Flannery earned his bachelor's degree from Carthage College in Wisconsin in athletic training in 1998. Flannery and his wife of almost 25 years, Sara, have two sons. When he's not on the clock, Flannery enjoys playing sports, spending time with his family and riding dirt bikes.

"I love playing sports; it doesn't matter what sport it is," he explained. "During the summer, I coach my son's baseball team."

Catrett earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. before achieving a master's in kinesiology from California-based Fresno Pacific University in 2010. A native of the Winter Haven area, Catrett and his wife of 31 years, Michelle, have four children and two grandchildren. When not on the job, he enjoys being with his family, boating and traveling.

"Becoming a grandparent has been an awesome, rewarding experience," Catrett exclaimed. "I love spending time with my family and getting the chance to visit our family members out of state."

The start of something big

The contract with Watson Clinic brings a new level of service to Polk State Athletics. The department previously had just one trainer on-site and only during games or matches. The partnership allows trainers to be present at practice, serve multiple sports at one time – and on multiple campuses.

"Polk has never had this extensive of a sports medicine program," Catrett noted. "This is an exciting time and partnership between Polk State and Watson Clinic. This is going to be great long-term."

Flannery echoed those sentiments. He added that for extensive injuries, athletes will have immediate access to Watson Clinic's surgery center as well.

"What excites me is building the sports medicine program here at Polk," Flannery said. "I'm excited to watch it grow. We have an orthopedic surgeon who can see athletes the next day. Having this level of service here will help everything from health to recruiting."

Although the partnership is just a month old, coaches have already seen its value.

"Greg and the training staff at Watson Clinic have been integral to the progression of our success," Head Volleyball Coach Jessica Beal said. "This is a huge benefit to all the athletic programs here at Polk."

"The level of service and timeliness from the training staff has been tremendous," Head Baseball Coach Al Corbeil said. "From surgery to rehab, Watson Clinic has been thorough but efficient. You can tell we're in good hands."

While the training staff is appreciated, the same is true for Polk State Athletics Department. Both trainers spoke highly of the relationship.

"I like how the Athletics Department is small enough where everyone knows each other but staffed well enough to get things done," Flannery said. "With Southeastern and Florida Southern College having such outstanding programs, Polk State sometimes gets overlooked in the area. People don't realize how good the talent at the JUCO level is; Polk has great athletes. Polk State does a great job preparing athletes for the future and this department is only going to get better."

"Everyone from the coaches to Randy and the support staff have been very welcoming," Catrett said. "I hope to help grow the program and represent Watson Clinic the best that I can. Watson Clinic has been a fantastic place to work and has provided me with this incredible opportunity."

Moving forward

The initial partnership between Polk State and Watson Clinic is for two years but members of both entities are hopeful to see it thrive well beyond that. Watson Clinic serves as a clinical affiliate and regularly hires graduates from Polk State's Health Sciences programs.

"Watson Clinic is here in the community to make a difference," Flannery concluded. "We're trying to help Polk State be the best it can be. Watson Clinic is committed to providing exemplary service. This will be a great benefit not just for the student-athletes but for Polk State College in general."

"Greg and Josh have a proven track record of success at the college level," Lee added. "(Clinical Services Director) Dawn Kirchner and (Physical Therapist) Jack Ryals at Watson Clinic have been tremendous to work with in reaching this agreement and launching this partnership. I hope for a long, lasting partnership with Watson Clinic and (parent company) Orlando Health."