Newswriting 9

 Athletic Trainer Behind The Scenes

Athletes are expected to perform at a high level day in and day out. The amount of stress on the body can be very difficult to maintain peak performance. 

Behind the scenes you will find some of the hardest working people, the athletic trainers. They work tirelessly to ensure that athletes go into everyday feeling good and ready to compete. 

Trisha Shannon, assistant athletic trainer at North Dakota State University, is in her fifth year working with the women’s soccer team. 

“I enjoy helping people get back onto the field after an injury. I applied for every division one soccer job there was. I played it (soccer) as a kid and that’s what I worked in grad school.” Shannon said. 

Shannon has helped hundreds of athletes throughout her career in athletic training, including two current NDSU soccer players, Olivia Watson, sophomore elementary education major, and Jessica Hanley, junior mechanical engineering major. 

“An athletic trainer helps a soccer team by preventing injuries as well as helping athletes recover from injuries. They provide different techniques and exercises that help strengthen particular muscles in order to allow players to stay healthy.” Watson said. 

College soccer is a fast-paced season where there are a lot of games packed into three to four months. It can be extremely challenging to keep the body together during this time. 

“In a season that has lots of games in a short period of time, recovery is super important to keep the team at their best for each game.” Hanley said. 

All of the athletes are thankful for what an athletic trainer can provide them. 

“I have benefitted by having someone to go to about any and all issues whether soccer related injury or not. I have been able to recover faster and feel good before each game.” Hanley said. 

“Thankfully I have never had a serious injury while playing at NDSU. I have my trainer to thank for that.” Watson said. 

Shannon and the rest of the athletic training staff will continue working behind closed doors to keep their athletes on the field, court, diamond, track, or course. Even though the work they do may go unseen, every athlete knows what they can get from these individuals. 

“I love watching my athletes get back after an injury. I feel like every injury is different, every athlete I am proud of.” Shannon said. 

Tweet: 

Trisha Shannon, assistant athletic trainer at North Dakota State University, works hard behind the scenes to keep the women’s soccer team, as well as other athletes, on the field and competing. Over the course of a long and difficult soccer season, Shannon’s role is crucial in keeping the team healthy and ready to play.