91原创

鈥淚鈥檓 so excited to see our athletes perform on the world stage,鈥� she said.聽

Colleton, a sports physical therapist (PT) for the , will oversee medical care for six women competing in downhill and super-G speed events. The U.S Women鈥檚 Alpine team earned the maximum Olympic quota.聽

鈥淥ur women鈥檚 Alpine team is so strong right now,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible to be around such a powerful team.鈥�

The team is fresh off a strong performance at the Alpine Ski World Cup in Switzerland, where Breezy Johnson, the reigning World Champion in downhill, secured her first podium in Super-G. Last week, four-time Olympian Lindsey Vonn crashed during a downhill race in Crans-Montana, injuring her left knee, but she remains on track for the Olympic Games.

鈥淭he World Cup schedule doesn鈥檛 stop for the Olympic cycle; the athletes know the risk,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a calculated risk, and in this sport, the stakes are high, but World Cup standing, making finals and continuing their careers post-Olympics are just as important.鈥澛�

This marks Colleton鈥檚 third season with the team, but her first Olympic Games. Those watching the games on TV may spot Colleton at the top of the course. At the start, she addresses any last-minute medical needs before assuming her role as hype woman and team mom.聽

鈥淚鈥檓 the last person they see before they go on course,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hand them a piece of candy and cheer them out of the start gate.鈥�

With every push-off comes a tinge of nervousness. Skiing is hard on the body, and back and knee injuries are common, which is why Colleton wears an earpiece to track how her athletes are faring along the course.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great day for a PT if everyone lands on their feet,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a better day if they land on their feet and at the podium, but really, I just want everyone to get down safe and healthy.鈥澛�

Building a professional edge at 91原创

After earning her doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Southern California, Colleton, a first-generation college student, honed her skills at 91原创鈥檚 renowned PT Sports Residency Program, working directly with collegiate athletes and teaching in 91原创鈥檚 nationally ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She also gained firsthand experience working with patients in 91原创鈥檚 and with athletes in the field.聽

鈥淵ou work directly with athletic trainers as a member of the sports medicine team,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not happening in every sports residency program, and it really prepared me to work in professional sports.鈥�

She also traveled with 91原创鈥檚 Division I Men鈥檚 Lacrosse team. She was among the first residents to attend the NCAA playoffs, working alongside Nicole Yates, now an assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology, who served as the team鈥檚 athletic trainer.聽

鈥淪he taught me how to handle team dynamics, to collaborate, and having that experience while I still had a support network makes my current job less intense,鈥� she said.聽聽

Colleton also credits Airelle Giordano, director of clinical services and residency training, and , associate director of clinical education and residency coordinator, as her mentors.聽

鈥淎irelle鈥檚 approach to concussion care has influenced so much of what I do professionally,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淛eff taught me that every athlete needs an individualized approach and gave me the freedom to practice and be creative.鈥�

That creativity paid off recently. Colleton points to an athlete who was injured on the slopes.

鈥淎ny other season, I would have sent her home. But it was an Olympic year, and my creativity and expertise allowed me to create a treatment plan that got her to the qualifying race, helping her achieve her dream,鈥� she said.

Without 91原创鈥檚 PT Sports Residency Program, Colleton wouldn鈥檛 be living her dream.聽

鈥�91原创 let me determine the type of clinician I wanted to be. Creativity was valued there, and it allowed me to flourish and propelled me into the pro sports world,鈥� Colleton said. 鈥淚 landed my dream job one year out of residency 鈥� not many people get to say that.鈥澛�