CINCINNATI -- A lacrosse game at Moeller High School Saturday was suspenseful -- but not in the way that fans anticipated.
Centerville High School senior and lacrosse team captain Grant Mays was revived with an AED on the field during the game. Luckily, an EMT and doctor were on the sideline of the game, plus Moeller's head trainer Craig Lindsey and University of Cincinnati intern trainer Ashley Higginbotham.
Quick and smart action on part of both teams likely saved Mays' life on Saturday.
"The young man stopped breathing and lost a pulse," said Moeller Athletic Director Mike Asbeck. "In my 25 years in education, this is the first time we've actually had to use (the AED)."
Lindsey said Mays suffered commotio cordis on Saturday, something that all athletes risk when playing sports.
Mays took a hit to the chest in Saturday's game, just before he collapsed on the field and his heart stopped beating.
Commotio cordis happens when a blow to the chest, near the heart, causes the heart to beat irregularly and go into cardiac arrest, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The cooperation between opponents to aid Mays filled both schools' athletic directors with a sense of pride.
"You don't want to go through an event like this to see how two teams, two communities came together in a time of need," said Rob Dewent, Centerville City Schools athletic director.
"That's going to carry on," Asbeck echoed. "I think that was a big part of the emotional relief that needed to take place to get through the situation."
Doug Mays, Grant's father, said his son is on the mend and thanks everyone for their help and quick action on Saturday.
