Vista Murrieta junior linebacker Kainoa Ching is back home and recovering following surgery for a spinal cord injury he suffered during last week’s Big West Conference-North Division football opener against Chaparral.
Ching was injured when he collided with a teammate while making a tackle during the first quarter of the game. He was motionless as athletic trainers and emergency medical responders attended to him on the field. Ching was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.
The Vista Murrieta football program’s social media accounts have provided updates on Ching over the past few days. He was listed in stable condition following the “successful surgery” Saturday. Ching was able to leave the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on Tuesday and was released from the hospital Wednesday.
A GoFundMe has been organized to help the family with medical costs, including upcoming physical therapy. More than $36,000 in donations have been contributed as of Wednesday evening.
“Our program and The Ching Family are absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of love and support for Kainoa,” a post Tuesday evening on the Vista Murrieta Football’s Instagram account (@vmhsfootball) read. “The family, the football team, and the booster community are in awe of the kindness and generosity that has been shown.
“Words cannot fully describe the gratitude we feel for every prayer lifted, every encouraging message sent, and every single donation — no matter the size. Each one will make a difference during this difficult time and has reminded us all of the strength of our community.”
Ching helped Murrieta Mesa’s football team capture the CIF Southern Section’s Division 6 championship last season. He was second on the team with 74 tackles and also had three sacks in the nine games he played.
Ching transferred to Vista Murrieta for his junior season. Because he did not change his address, Ching had to sit out the first five games of the season, in accordance with CIF Southern Section rules. Last week’s game against Chaparral was the first game Ching was eligible to play this season.
