Eagle Era

Kristin Calhoun helps AHS sports teams stay in the game

By Tiffany Notice 

Students are finding support on and off the field with the new athletic trainer, Kristin Calhoun. For many athletes, having an on-campus trainer helps with injury recovery and their approach to sports. 

Calhoun shared how she approaches recovery for athletes. “I enjoy movement. I think movement helps. As much as everybody wants to rest after an injury, research has shown that movement helps recovery,” she said.

She understands that students may be hesitant to see her, believing she will prevent them from playing, but her objective is to protect their long-term health. 

“I am an ally for them—an advocate for their health. They think I am the person who is going to pull them from playing, but I’m trying to make sure they can play their sport even longer in the long run,” she said.

Aidyn Dalling (12) does a sport each season. “I started off my sports in prime condition with no injuries, but doing sports year-round eventually started to wear my body down,” he said. 

With the athletic trainer just a walk away in the weight room, Dalling explained, “It is really great to be able to have somebody on campus that I can just go to whenever I need help with recovery.”

Kristin Calhoun, the athletic trainer, helped football player Nishant Varma (10), number 5, in preparation for the neon-out football game (Photo Credit: Tiffany Notice (12)).

For Dalling, recovery is more than just physical. “The best thing for my recovery is having a positive mindset, being genuinely serious, and not skipping out on physio[therapy].” 

Like Dalling, Dante Arbee (12) has been playing sports all 4 years of high school. Arbee is a football player and has had to battle with multiple injuries throughout his athletic career. “I had a close relationship with the last trainer, so I was hesitant about a new trainer. But I found out she just wants to make the athletes better than they were,” Arbee said. 

“The new methods, like how she tapes and the type of stretches she gives out, have helped me recover, get back on the field, and feel better during the recovery process,” he said. 

Varsity volleyball player Ava Pagobo (11) has also dealt with sports-related injuries. “I recently sprained my thumb, and the trainer has been very helpful in my recovery,” she said. 

Throughout her season, she went to the trainer to get help for her aches and pains to perform her best. Pagobo said, “When the trainer is near, I feel supported. She’s right there to help me get back on the court faster.” 

With Calhoun’s support, athletes at AHS are learning that recovery is part of becoming stronger. With easy access to care, athletes can stay healthy and be ready to perform at their best.