For student-athletes, life can be a bit of a whirlwind. Balancing classes, homework, practice, and games is a lot to handle. Sometimes in the craziness of it all, physical health gets put on the back burner. That’s where Anne Hutchins comes in. The Upper School’s new athletic trainer from Twin Cities Orthopedics has jumped right into her new role, helping student-athletes stay healthy while performing at a high level.

A former student-athlete in high school, Hutchins knows the value in having kids involved in sports: “I played sports when I was younger, but there weren’t as many opportunities as there are for kids now,” Hutchins said. “I went to Highland actually, and if you didn’t make the JV team, you didn’t make a team.”

Hutchins knew during high school that she wanted to pursue a medical career in her future. After first planning to become a pharmacist, she changed paths and went into athletic training. “My sister was a nurse, and I didn’t think I could handle all the blood… but now I know I could,” she said.

Hutchins comes to campus every afternoon before practices and games to help athletes prepare. This entails taping up ankles and wrists, fixing blisters, and other various ways of treating injuries. Hutchins also makes sure all teams have access to water to stay hydrated while playing. After she finishes treating the athletes, she wanders around between practices to watch teams and be a resource in case of any injury or discomfort.

Solvej Eversoll, a junior captain on the girls varsity volleyball team, is one of many athletes who have benefitted from access to an athletic trainer. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Anne and she has been super helpful these past couple of weeks because I’ve been having some trouble with my calves,” she said. “I like going in to heat [them] before practice and she is always in a really good mood which makes my day better.”

Sophomore soccer player, Lucas Schanno, has also worked with Hutchins frequently this fall season. He said, “It’s always very enjoyable talking to her before practice. Most days she will wrap my feet because they are usually very sore in my cleats for soccer, and once I leave the training room I can’t feel anything during practice.”

Hutchins wants athletes to understand the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and sleep during the rigorous days of the fall sports season. She said, “Sleep has become really important. It’s a hot topic these days.”

Her biggest piece of advice for athletes is to listen to what your body is telling you in order to stay as healthy as possible. “Your body speaks to you – when your ankle hurts, when your knee hurts, when your shin hurts. You have to listen to it, not just ignore it and pretend it’s going to go away,” Hutchins said.

Most days, athletes can find Hutchins in the athletic training room (located next to the weight room) after 3 p.m.