STILLWATER, Okla. — A group of students and staff members at Oklahoma State University (OSU) were honored on Friday for their extraordinary bravery and quick thinking in saving the life of a fellow student. The recognition came from the American Red Cross, which presented them with the National Lifesaving Award, the highest accolade given by the organization for those who use their skills to save a life.
The Incident: A Life-Threatening Collapse
The heroic actions unfolded on April 3, 2025, when a young man collapsed while playing basketball on campus. Kolsten Gensler, an operations attendant at the MAC Gym next door, was alerted to the situation. He recalled the moment he walked out of the gym and saw his good friend, a fellow student he had known from accounting classes, collapsed on the ground.
Gensler immediately rushed to his friend, who was struggling to breathe and appeared to be in distress. “You could just tell that he was disgruntled and couldn’t breathe and just, he was purple in the face,” said Gensler. As the situation worsened and his friend stopped breathing, Gensler knew he had to act quickly.
Quick Response and Lifesaving Measures
Without hesitation, Gensler began performing CPR on his friend. “I saw that his eyes rolled back behind his head and I just started doing CPR,” he recalled. Gensler continued the life-saving measures through eight rounds of CPR, showing signs of improvement with each round.
However, he soon became physically exhausted and was unable to continue. That’s when Dominic Vaccarello stepped in and took over CPR until Dr. Jason Linsenmeyer, who arrived with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), could assist.
Together, they continued to perform CPR and use the AED until EMS arrived at the scene, ensuring the student received proper care.
Recognition from the American Red Cross
For their quick and coordinated efforts, Gensler, Vaccarello, and Linsenmeyer were recognized with the American Red Cross National Lifesaving Award. This award is given to individuals who use their lifesaving training to help save someone’s life in a critical moment.
Mathew Hitchcock, the Executive Director of the Northern Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross, presented the award and expressed gratitude for their actions: “You saved a life. That person is going to go on and do amazing things because of what you did.”
Gensler’s Humble Reflection
Although the award was a significant honor, Gensler, who was especially close to the individual saved, remained humble in his reflection on the event. “The certificate and the award mean a lot, but him being alive means the most,” Gensler said. “I don’t really care about the certificates and awards. I’m grateful for them, but just him being alive—that’s all that matters.”
A Community Impacted
The actions of Gensler, Vaccarello, and Linsenmeyer had a profound impact on their campus community. Their willingness to act under intense pressure saved a life and provided an example of how training, quick thinking, and teamwork can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.
Summary Table
| Key Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | April 3, 2025 |
| Location | Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK |
| Key Individuals Involved | Kolsten Gensler, Dominic Vaccarello, Dr. Jason Linsenmeyer |
| Victim | A fellow student who collapsed while playing basketball |
| Lifesaving Actions | CPR performed, AED used, EMS response |
| Award | American Red Cross National Lifesaving Award |
| Gensler’s Perspective | “Just him being alive—that’s all that matters” |
A Remarkable Act of Courage
The actions of these individuals are a testament to the power of community, preparedness, and the willingness to step in during an emergency. The student’s life was saved, and thanks to the quick response, he now has the chance to lead a full and meaningful life. The recognition from the American Red Cross serves as a reminder of how important it is for everyone to have basic lifesaving skills, such as CPR, and to be ready to help when needed.
