The athletic trainers at the Worthington Johnson Athletic Center (WJAC) play a major role in the success of the teams at Choate. Whether applying injury-preventing devices such as tape, bandages, and braces; evaluating injuries; providing emergency aid and rehabilitating injured athletes; planning comprehensive programs for recovery; or simply giving advice on remaining healthy, the four Choate trainers are always ready to help athletes perform at the top of their games. Mr. Brian Holloway, Mr. Matt Pendleton, Mrs. Emily Osterhout, and Ms. Tanisha Clark work tirelessly to ensure that athletes going to or coming from games and practices are recovering and preparing their bodies properly.
Mr. Holloway, Choate’s Head Trainer, began his career at Choate in 1997 shortly after graduating from the University of Connecticut’s Sports Medicine Program. Choosing to pursue his “interest in enhancing human performance while positively influencing those student-athletes who share a similar passion,” Mr. Holloway has enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community alongside his dedicated team of trainers. Playing sports in his past helped him “relate to the challenges” that many student-athletes face. When asked what tips he has for students to stay healthy, he stressed the importance of sleep: “Athletes who sleep less than eight hours per night are nearly two times more likely to get injured.”
Mr. Pendleton has been working in sports medicine for over twenty years, having completed undergraduate work in psychology and sports medicine and finishing graduate work in educational technology. The field of sports medicine has always appealed to Pendleton, who hopes not only to support athletes in the community, but also to hone his medical skills. According to Mr. Pendleton, his past experiences with a variety of injuries allows him to stay calm and focused during emergency situations. Like Mr. Holloway, Mr. Pendleton emphasized that there is no substitute for recovery: “Never underestimate rest and good nutrition — [they’re] just as important as training.”
Ms. Clark, the newest member of the team, started in the fall of 2019, the same year she graduated from Colby-Sawyer College. Inspired by her own athletic trainer’s dedication to “keeping [her] in the games” and “getting [her] back to playing standard safely,” Ms. Clark’s favorite aspect of being a medical professional is the personal connection she fosters with athletes. She loves the “hype around game day,” which makes her feel “lucky to be at Choate surrounded by such great school spirit.”
