New athletic trainer joins Bulldog Nation

By Samantha Coe, Staff Writer

December 6, 2023

ROCKLAND- After several years of trying to find a permanent athletic trainer for Rockland High, Serena Speight, may be here to stay. 

Speight became the new athletic trainer two weeks after the preseason began in the summer. So far, she enjoys RHS and is planning to stay as long as she can. 

Speight said, “So far everybody’s been so nice, so I don’t really see myself wanting to leave.” 

Athletic Director Mr. Dan Kimball shared that he spent around sixty hours trying to find a new trainer after rotating between three different trainers last year, but unfortunately, none could manage a full-time position.

Mr. Kimball said, “She’s been awesome. We were in a very difficult situation this year where we were really strapped and didn’t have a trainer. We had a rotational cycle of predefined trainers last year so having [Speight] full-time has been absolutely fantastic.” 

Speight used to play soccer at the college level and still plays competitively and for fun. She loves music and is always making different playlists. Growing up in Maine, she’s a very outdoor person and loves hikes and going to the beach.

As an athletic trainer, Speight makes medical evaluations and different diagnostics. When somebody has an injury she has to figure out what it is and if it’s anything serious she’ll refer them to somebody else. 

“I try to be a very open person and I want any athlete to know I’m new here but I want them to feel comfortable with the room regardless if they know me or not. I’ll do my best to take care of them as much as I can,” she explained.

Senior volleyball player Tori Hynes said,  "She was very very good at tending to people's specific needs. She helped me with my ankle and back and kept me consistent with my workouts to help me get stronger."

Hynes added that Speight was knowledgeable and helped all athletes prepare and do their best.

"She's a really fun person. She's supportive and drove all the Bellingham for our game," Hynes said.

For the upcoming years, Speight said she’s excited to see fall sports and “where the volleyball team goes. They did phenomenally this year and I loved watching them play. Personally, I’m excited to see how I can transfer the athletic training room and the department as a whole.”