Sunnyvale student-athletes struggle to cope with news of former athletic trainer’s arrest on murder charges.
Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school and college students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
The recent news that a former athletic trainer at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale had been arrested and charged with murder has shocked some students. “I was just freaked out,” said Golden Beardsley, a junior volleyball player at the school. Beardsley described herself as flabbergasted by the news.. He is charged in the shooting deaths of Lori Simonds, 67, and her son, Evan James Simonds, 28, both of Pleasanton, who are his ex-girlfriend’s mother and brother. Swadley worked as an athletic trainer at Fremont High School from 2023 to 2025. He attended games to treat athletes’ injuries and taught kinesiology classes.“There were definitely a lot of students who were very, very close with him,” Beardsley said, adding that he also worked closely with the football team. Fremont High junior Avani Malunjkar also regularly met with Swadsley because she is interested in a career in health science. Malunjkar said he talked about his girlfriend at times. “He actually asked me to help plan a first date with her,” Malunjkar said. Malunjkar also said Swadsley worked with many student-athletes. “Any athlete that’s ever been injured knows who he is, because he was very much involved,” she said.“Talking about it is important, because you’re able to get what you’re feeling out,” Maljunkar said. “And that helps process what you’re feeling, rather than bundling it up and just letting it sit inside you.” Principal Bryan Emmert said Fremont High School does offer resources for students struggling to cope with any issue. Students can request to be seen by the school therapist, for example, by filling out a form on the school website. “They put in what’s going on, what their issues are, what their challenges are, and then our mental health team tries to address the people with the most immediate concerns,” Emmert said. He said the school can also make recommendations for additional outside support. Emmert also mentioned The Nest, a wellness space where students can take a mental health break from class for 15 minutes. Alejandra Flores, the school Wellness Space support specialist, said the district strives to support mental health and provides wellness resources for the community, including students, staff and parents. The Nest’s check-in form includes a question regarding self-harm and suicide, for example, which could be flagged and sent to the school’s crisis team. Flores also mentioned the school-based therapist, a family and community liaison, and other student wellness resources. Flores said, however, that it has been difficult getting students involved with school-provided resources and staff.“Even with those free resources, how do you know you can trust them?” she asked. “If stuff like this happens, people like this are hired, how do you know you can trust anyone?”Miss Manners: They won't even set a menu until the guests arriveBay Area weather: Rain is forecast to break the long dry spell. Here's when to expect it.San Jose is clearing its last large homeless encampment. Not everyone wants what comes next Kurtenbach: MLB's SF Giants-Yankees Opening Night Netflix cash-grab proves nothing is sacred in modern sportsGreat America hits 50. It may not make it to 52
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