John Handley High School alumni and Bridgewater College senior Cole Talton is currently working as an intern with the HHS athletic training department. Before arriving to the high school setting, Talton worked with college athletes. Working in this new environment contributes to his perspectives about athletic training.

“I worked with all college students, and now I’m able to work with high school students. In college, a lot of those athletes have already made it to where they want to go, whereas in high school, a lot of these kids are working hard to achieve the next level. So it’s good to help these kids to seek out their dreams,” Talton said.

Talton had no say in where he got to do his internship. He was assigned by the Bridgewater Head Site Coordinator and was sent out to a random site.

“I really do like HHS. I went to John Handley High School, so Harrisonburg was our rival. I think it’s good to be able to see my old high school play, but also I like HHS as a whole,” Talton said.

With the courses he’s taken at Bridgewater, Talton has a few ideas about where he wants to take the next steps of his life after college.

“I want to be a doctor of chiropractic and also a professional rugby player. Being able to be in sports and also [be] around the athletic population medically helps me learn a lot. A lot of my hours give me experience that I wouldn’t have in any other major, so being able to work here with the athletes now is going to give me a step ahead for the future,” Talton said.

Just like any other athletic trainer, Talton does the basics, such as traveling with teams, examining injuries and doing evaluations. As he strives to do the best for students in either their injuries or recoveries, the relationships Talton has made with them have taken both a positive and negative toll on him.

“Going along with the student athletes not getting better, I think that it makes me feel like I’m not doing the best that I can, even if things are out of control,” Talton said. “A lot of times, injuries need things that we can’t provide here, and I wish I could be the person to provide everything that each athlete needs. Whatever gets out of my hand, I think that impacts me.”