On the sidelines of Del Mar football, the most important person isn’t always wearing a helmet. For many athletes, trainer Breya Carter has become essential for both their physical health and their peace of mind.
Before she was taping ankles or rushing onto the field, Ms. Breya was a college athlete herself. Ms. Breya said her passion for athletic training grew during her time at San Jose State.
“I literally was in the athletic training room all the time, and it always fascinated me, like how the body works, how everything is connected,” said Ms. Breya “Seeing the recovery process from an injury was like a highlight for me.”
That fascination now benefits Del Mar football athletes every day during training and games.
Tight end John Battles, who spends time in the training room, describes Ms. Breya as more than just a typical trainer.
“[She’s] great, not just as a trainer, but as an individual in general,” said Battles “I talk to her about almost anything going on in day to day life.”
That sense of trust is something Ms. Breya has worked hard to build. Athletes often say her care goes far beyond injuries, it’s about making sure they feel supported as people, too.
“She’s made the training room a safe space […] a warm, welcoming environment, not only for athletes, but just for students,” said Battles.
For Ms. Breya, that kind of feedback is exactly what makes her work worthwhile. “Honestly, teaching them how to take care of their bodies […] and seeing them get back to the court or the field, that’s definitely the most rewarding,” said Ms. Breya.
Sometimes, her work goes beyond sprains and strains. Running back Jayrist Paycoan nearly suffered a paralyzing injury last season.
“It was very scary […] I was inches away from almost being paralyzed,” said Paycoan. “But Ms. Breya assured me, and she comforted me […] she made sure I wasn’t gonna panic about it moving forward.”
She’s trained for exactly those moments. On September 26, when a JV player broke his arm, she responded instantly.
“For me personally, I heard it and I automatically knew it was a fracture […] my main focus was just him, like getting him what he needed and keeping him calm,” Ms. Breya explained. “It’s an automatic switch […] I’ve studied so long and gone over different scenarios so many times that it’s automatic now.”
Even with proper preparation, she says there are challenges.
“The most challenging part is probably working within a budget […] trying to give them all the resources they need to be successful and healthy, but also working within the school budget,” said Ms. Breya.
For athletes like Paycoan, her support is key to getting back to football. “Her assurance of me being okay was what really pushed me through […] I could come back stronger than this,” Paycoan said.
Battles says her influence extends off the field, too. “Aside from the medical side, she’s just an amazing woman in general […] she’s really easy to talk to.”
Her advice to Del Mar athletes is simple but powerful: “Hydrate, eat right, and sleep. The things we take for granted make the biggest impact.”
