California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Tennis Coach Performs Act of Heroism
5/8/2019 9:17:00 AM | Women's Tennis
By Zack Rome, CSUN Sports Communications
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The CSUN women's tennis team concluded their 2019 season with a heartbreaking loss to Cal State Fullerton during the quarterfinals of the Big West Tournament in Indian Wells on Friday, April 26th.
However, a moment beyond sports would bring that contest to a sudden halt.
John Bramlett, the match referee and head official of the tournament, suffered a heart attack that would cause the back-and-forth dual to come to a stand-still.
Mai Narasaki-Jara, a volunteer assistant coach for the Matadors, sprang into action to help save Bramlett, who at the moment appeared unconscious without a pulse.
During the singles' match between Monika Van de Vondel and Karla Portalatin on Court No. 1, each player had claimed one set and the dual was down to 5-4 in the third set with Van de Vondel serving for the victory. But in the middle of what was CSUN's most intense match of the year, Bramlett collapsed, silencing everyone in attendance.
Narasaki-Jara, while first noticing the collapsed Bramlett after seeing Van de Vondel acknowledge the situation from the court, immediately took action.
"In the corner of my eye, this huddle of people just screamed and some of the players from Fullerton were crying and hugging each other," said Narasaki-Jara.
Van de Vondel saw her coach and said '"go" and from there Narasaki-Jara quickly made her way to the stricken official and realized he was not breathing and didn't have a pulse.
Narasaki-Jara, along with two athletic trainers from UC Riverside, quickly took action.
"I had to do chest compressions and one cycle of CPR," said Narasaki-Jara. "AED came onto the scene did its job by analyzing oxygen level, then the pulse was there, and all of us were calling his name. We saw his face go from purple and gray to coming back alive."
While Bramlett regained his breathing among cheers from the concerned onlookers, Narasaki-Jara and the teams all felt relief that her CPR training came in handy at an extremely critical moment.
Coach Gary Victor, who was understandably shaken by what had transpired, was amazed by the strength of his assistant coach.
"We all had a feeling of togetherness," said Victor. "From pride in Mai, to prayers for John. We wanted everyone to take perspective."
Victor was pleased to add that Bramlett underwent successful surgery two weeks ago and is currently resting comfortably.
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