Teen’s Life Saved By Coaches In Miraculous On-Field Rescue

April 7, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Detroit, Michigan.

A Michigan family is overflowing with gratitude after two high school coaches sprang into action and saved their 14-year-old daughter’s life.

coaches save teen cardiac arrest track
Alyssa Atkinson / WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7

On March 12, during a routine track practice at Allen Park High School, freshman Alyssa Atkinson was doing her usual warm-up laps when something unimaginable happened—she suddenly collapsed. Alyssa had gone into cardiac arrest without any prior warning signs.

“I just remember doing two warm-up laps and then doing our regular program in lines, but that’s all I remember from that day,” Alyssa recalled.

Her next memory was waking up in the hospital, surrounded by her family.

“I was very grateful to be even awake, but it was also scary to know that happened to me,” she said.

Alyssa’s mother, Kelly Dolan, was just as shocked.

“She does her sports physical every year for sports activities in high school and middle school. So, this was sprung upon us and we had no idea,” she said.

Fortunately, two Allen Park High School track coaches acted swiftly and decisively when Alyssa went unresponsive. They immediately began performing CPR and used an AED (automated external defibrillator) to restart her heart.

“It got her heart rhythm back before emergency crews arrived. Those critical seconds changed my life, my daughter’s life, and it saved her life,” Dolan said.

Allen Park High School’s Athletic Director, James Victor, said emergency preparedness is something the school takes seriously.

“To know that all the emergency action plans, all of the drills that our athletic trainer and I work on helped potentially save a life—it means a lot,” he shared.

While the exact cause of Alyssa’s cardiac arrest remains unknown, her recovery is a powerful reminder of the importance of CPR training, quick thinking, and having the right equipment in place.

For now, Alyssa and her family are simply thankful for the coaches who didn’t hesitate in a moment of crisis.

“How do you thank a person who saved your daughter’s life?” Dolan said.