Student Trainers Serve, Learn with Athletes
by Laura Kenny
Taping ankles and filling water bottles, the life of a student athletic trainer at Marian is never finished. There has to be someone to help take care of the athletes in case of injuries or accidents. The athletic trainers are the people who do this job.
The six student trainers: freshmen Megan Bergstrom and Laura Moore, and juniors Jenny Edney, Erin Kraft, Emily Salzbrenner, and Mary Ricketts, spend much of their free time at practices, games, or in the trainer's office. They assist official trainer Melissa Brusnahan in evaluations and get hands-on experience. "You can read books about [training], but you get hands-on training actually doing it. They are involved in as much as possible," said Mrs. Brusnahan.
The student athletic training program was officially started six years ago when Mrs. Brusnahan arrived. It was started to help introduce girls into the field of sports medicine and also to help Brusnahan cover all athletes. "It is good exposure to the field. It helps me out, too. It would be absolutely impossible for me to do all of this by myself," said Mrs. Brusnahan.
"I do it because I quit Volleyball, but I still wanted to be a part of it. Also, I want to go into sports medicine," said Edney.
"I used to play soccer and I still wanted to stay with the athletic program," said Bergstrom.
The girls rotate shifts to make sure everyone gets a chance to cover games and are available for all athletes, no matter what sport, even if the trainers don't regularly attend. They not only help Mrs.Brusnahan, but the coaches as well. They help collect balls, attend practices and games, and serve a double duty as team managers.
The coaches seem to appreciate it too. "The trainers are very helpful. Melissa does a great job not only in the training office, but also in on-field and court training. I think it's great to see it and experience it that way, too," said JV volleyball and freshman basketball coach Miss Ronda Motykowski.
The trainers put in a lot of hours and a lot of effort. "I am here until about 5:45 on practice days and until about 9:30 on game days," said Edney.
"Were taking time to make sure that they have everything they need," said Bergstrom
"I think the athletes appreciate it, too. The trainers put in just as many or more hours as the athletes do and it's all voluntary. They are treated as part of the team and get to be in pictures with them," said Mrs. Brusnahan.
"The trainers are very helpful. They take a lot of pressure off of Melissa, and I like having them around," said junior Laura Spanheimer. "They have to stay just as dedicated, and are just as important as the players," said senior Varsity volleyball player Lindsay Kelly.
The athletic trainers at Marian are a part of the athletic department and do a great job helping Mrs. Brusnahan in all aspects of the field. "It helps me and is great experience for them," said Mrs. Brusnahan.
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