LAKEVILLE — A love of sports and a high school athletic injury helped new LaVille Athletic Trainer Janelle Christensen decide what she wanted to do with her life.
Christensen will be the new face on the Lancer sidelines and inside the Athletic Trainer’s office come time for the student-athletes to return for fall sports on July 29.
“I actually decided I wanted to do Athletic Training before I ever saw my Athletic Trainer in high school,” explained Christensen. “I never really went to see my Athletic Trainer during my high school career. However, I always loved sports and wanted to be in the healthcare field. I remember looking up careers and seeing Physical Therapy and also Athletic Training. So, it was between those occupations.”
“What really sealed the deal on Athletic Training was when I was a senior in high school and I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and went to Physical TherapyIt was there that I was able to get a glimpse at what their day was like. I was interested, but I did not like the fact that they were inside and in a clinic all day. So, I decided on Athletic Training and never looked back.”
Christensen comes to LaVille after graduating from Allendale Public Schools in Allendale, Michigan in 2014. From there, she received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in April of 2018. She then moved on to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she graduated in May of 2020 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training.
Christensen played soccer and basketball throughout middle school and high school. She also played collegiate soccer at Alma College for four years.
Christensen, who takes over for Trista Hartman, says that when a student faces an injury and tends to be hesitant about seeing the Athletic Trainer to remember that she is there to help them.
“Truthfully I was that athlete,” explained Christensen. “So I know exactly where these kids are coming from. I always tell them that my priority is their health. I will never hold anyone out of practice/games for no reason. The biggest issue with not seeing me about an injury or even a small nagging pain is if they wait too long or think it will go away soon, whatever that small pain is will get worse and eventually they will have to be held out. This normally comes when the pain is unbearable and has to see a doctor. So, I always want to be on top of any small thing no matter what it is, to make sure everyone is healthy and playing.”
“I’m really excited to be here and have already enjoyed everyone I have met so far,” concluded Christensen, who has a sister who is also an Athletic Trainer in Indiana.
