Callie Bartel, worked with U.S. Paralympic Throwing Team in Chula Vista, Calif., May 20-26, 2013.
Bartel was earned this opportunity because of a connection at The College of St. Scholastica, where Bartel received her master’s degree (2011) in Athletic Training. Her supervisor during her two years at the Duluth, Minn. campus was originally scheduled to attend the camp, but was forced to cancel and find a replacement. Bartel’s name was thrown in the mix of potential replacements, and just weeks later she found herself in southern California with one of the most fulfilling experiences of her young career.
While at the camp Bartel learned just how in-tune Paralympic athletes are with their bodies, and how skilled they are at their respective sports. She talked with a blind high-jumper and watched a women’s rugby contest, and also saw firsthand just how much work goes into being a thrower from a wheelchair or seated position.
“Their skills at their respective sports and the overall knowledge they have of each sport and their body was incredible—most athletes come to an athletic trainer and say their knee hurts or their ankle is sore. These athletes would come to me and tell me their Gastrocnemius muscle in their knee needed to be stretched,” Bartel said.
A 2009 graduate of UW-Green Bay and a 2011 graduate of The College of St. Scholastica, Bartel began working with Phoenix student-athletes last fall. During her short time with the program, she’s impressed UW-Green Bay’s Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Jeremy Cleven, who also serves as the department’s head athletic trainer.
“I was very excited that we were able to add Callie to our staff earlier this year because of her knowledge and work ethic,” Cleven said. “She’s made the right business connections and received this amazing opportunity as a result, and did a fantastic job with it as I expected her to.”
uwgb360stories 