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Kenton Ridge volleyball player saves teammate’s grandpa

Photos: Stebbins vs. Kenton Ridge

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Emily Thompson (right) gets a hug from Tess McNeil, a teammate on the Kenton Ridge volleyball team, during Senior Night festivities where Thompson was recognized for giving life-saving assistance to McNeil’s grandfather, Don McNeil. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Cougars senior honored for lifesaving move

By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 7:46 AM Wednesday, October 14, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Emily Thompson helped her dad, Bill, run the concession stand before the varsity volleyball match at Kenton Ridge High School on Tuesday, Oct. 13. They were selling Airheads — but not Life Savers.

For that, you had to be there Monday when Thompson, a senior for the Cougars, helped save the life of sophomore teammate Tess McNeil’s grandfather, Don McNeil. He collapsed in the stands while the varsity team was warming up for a match.

“I didn’t know if he was having a seizure, a heart attack or a stroke,” Thompson said. “The first thing I thought about was Tess. Then I thought, ‘I’m a lifeguard.’ ”

Thompson, 17, ran into the stands, saw that McNeil was choking and cleared his airway. Thompson checked McNeil’s pulse and talked to him until the paramedics arrived. Only later would they find out McNeil had suffered a heart attack.

“We kind of panicked, but Emily didn’t miss a beat,” head volleyball coach Lori Saunders said.

McNeil had one blockage repaired Tuesday and will have to have two more repaired soon, but there wasn’t much damage done to his heart, his daughter-in-law, Julie McNeil, said. For that, the family credits Thompson.

Before Tuesday’s match at KR, Julie made a special presentation to Thompson: flowers and a $500 scholarship to any college she wishes to attend.

If that’s not enough of a feel-good story, consider that Thompson wouldn’t have known what to do if she had not taken CPR training from Mickey McNeil, Don’s daughter.

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Emily has been blessed to be a blessing! She realy proved that by saving our good friend Don. Who also is the God Father to our grandaughter, Chelsea. just saying thank you does not express what you have done for his family & friends! Our prayers go out to the McNeil family.Wishing Don to have a speedy recovery so we can go golfing.

mike & brenda mohr
10:56 PM, 10/15/2009

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this is such an amazing story. I'm so glad that we still have students in the district that can save lives and think quick on their feet. I want to say that she is an amazing teenager

nelsd
10:59 AM, 10/15/2009

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Great Job! Your community is proud of you!!! I work with kids everyday and this is a great example of the HUGE percentage of kids in our community that do the right things. I know that it makes a better news story to print whose been arrested and made bad choices, but BELIEVE ME, the kids making good decisions way out number the ones your read about in the news.

commonsensegal
5:54 AM, 10/15/2009

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Emily reacted as a certified American Red Cross lifeguard which includes Professional CPR/First AID/AED certifications.Being the first responder provide the chain of treatment of EMTs,ER staff,primary & speciality medical staff are more effective chance for a healthy recovery.I am proud of her assertivenss esp since the cardaic victim was no longer a class practice manikin but my dad.
My family wishes to thank the long line of care for my dad whihc began with Emily's response.
Thanks everyone

Mickey
12:21 AM, 10/15/2009

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I will be pray for the Mc Neil family for a speedy recovery. That story really touched my heart today. Finally the News Sun actually did something right for a change.

Travis Aker
9:00 PM, 10/14/2009

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