Kelsey Bahe, a senior from Wood River, is the first Nebraskan to sweep three athletic training scholarships at the state, regional and national level. Bahe won the Nebraska State Athletic Training scholarship, the Mid-America Athletic Training Scholarship and the National Athletic Training scholarship.
Bahe wasn’t initially going to apply for the national award, assuming the national stage put it beyond her reach. She credited the encouragement she received from Assistant Athletic Trainer Samantha Wilson for giving her the confidence to apply.
“So I did and God blessed me with that,” said Bahe.
Bahe is involved in Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Athletic Training Student Association. She also serves as president of the student leadership council for the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NSATA).
Bahe has built valuable experience working with NWU’s men’s soccer, indoor track & field, men’s basketball, baseball, and volleyball. She has also worked with UNL’s injury prevention clinic, and at Lincoln East and Lincoln North Star high schools.
“The hands-on experience and the staff — I would definitely say those two things have kept me here and in the program,” said Bahe. “Getting that hands-on experience is important so you’re confident in the workforce,” said Bahe.
Following her graduation in May, Bahe will attend graduate school for athletic training and will also pursue a teaching degree. Her teaching aspiration stems from her father who is an educator, and from her Nebraska Wesleyan professors.
“I feel as if I want to pass on that knowledge as they did,” said Bahe. “I wouldn’t have gotten the scholarships that I got without my instructors, without their leadership, and pushing me to have the initiative to do those things.”
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Story by Emmalie Harris, public relations intern.