Sandy City Pickleball Players Honored: Seven pickleball players in Sandy City will be honored for their heroic actions after a fellow player collapsed on the court last month. Their quick response helped save Kevin Newman’s life during a tournament on December 5.
The Rise of Pickleball
The popularity of pickleball is increasing nationwide, attracting players of all ages. “I got hooked, and I’ve been playing nonstop ever since,” said Mara Fineshriber, a resident of Draper. Bob Williams, who lives in Highland, mentioned, “It’s a great sport because it still can be fast and you still have strategy.” In 2024 alone, Club Pickleball USA welcomed hundreds of new members and visitors.
Kevin Newman, a former tennis player, chose pickleball after experiencing back pain from racquetball. “It’s a lot less stress on your body,” he explained. Many players appreciate the balance that the game brings, allowing them to compete at various skill levels. Williams added, “You’ve got all kinds of abilities, and you can play to whatever level you want.”
A Life-Saving Response
However, during the tournament, things took a serious turn. “I saw Kevin turn,” Williams recounted. “A ball had hit over his head, and he took a turn—next thing I know, he went down.” Newman collapsed on the court and later recalled, “I just couldn’t get up. I couldn’t move. I answered two questions, and then I passed out.”
Newman went into cardiac arrest. “When I got to Kevin, he was already in full arrest,” said Fineshriber. “He wasn’t breathing.” Retired EMT Kathryn Reinartz and others sprang into action. Reinartz coordinated the response, saying, “I have a retired anesthesiologist keeping his airway open, and I call for an AED.”
Fineshriber joined the effort, noting, “Those minutes felt like hours. I didn’t think we were going to get him back.” Fortunately, within two hours, the hospital informed them that Newman was in stable condition.
The bystanders stressed the importance of having an AED on site. “You can do CPR forever,” Reinartz explained, “but to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm, you have to have one.” After receiving CPR and other life-saving measures, Newman is slowly recovering. He expressed gratitude for his fellow players, saying, “There were angels that day when I played pickleball.”
In recognition of their quick actions, Fineshriber, Reinartz, Williams, Jo Amneteg, Sharon Hamilton, Brad McDougal, and Ralph McKay will receive the Sandy Fire Department’s Life Saving Award at a ceremony at city hall on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
This event highlights the growing pickleball community and the importance of safety measures like AEDs in recreational sports. As the sport continues to gain popularity, awareness and preparedness for medical emergencies will be crucial.
News in Brief: Sandy City Pickleball Players Honored
Seven pickleball players in Sandy, Utah, will receive Life Saving Awards after their quick actions saved a fellow player, Kevin Newman, who collapsed during a pickleball tournament. Their response highlights the growing pickleball community and the importance of safety measures in sports.