In an environment like Boston Latin School with many highly competitive and physically demanding sports, having an athletic trainer is a huge advantage. Athletic trainer Courtney Mulkerrin recently joined BLS to help student-athletes with injury prevention and rehabilitation, and as an athlete, she understands the importance of taking care of mental and physical health.
Mulkerrin had been involved in sports throughout her whole life — particularly rugby. During COVID-19, when contact and team sports were put on hold, Mulkerrin began testing her strength and “playing around with how heavy [she] could lift.” She developed a passion for powerlifting, sharing how she “loved the environment and how empowered it made [her] feel,” which led to it becoming her main sport rather than a hobby.
As she continued to pursue the sport, Mulkerrin participated in many powerlifting competitions, with the most recent being the USA Powerlifting Massachusetts State Championship. This meet was particularly successful for Mulkerrin, as she set a new state record squat for her weight class, surrounded by fellow powerlifter Mr. Eric Cordeiro and BLS powerlifting students who ran the meet and cheered her on.
“Similar to watching film or looking up another team’s record, I do a lot of reconnaissance to know who I’m up against. I also know there is a lot that is completely out of my hands,” states Mulkerrin, regarding her pre-competition routine. For her, these actions help ensure that she performs to her fullest.
Such achievements do not come easy, however, and require a great deal of mental and physical preparation, even for the most elite athletes. At the same time, keeping a realistic mindset is also important for an athlete to set reasonable goals for themselves and stay focused on their personal growth as a competitor.
This mindset helps Mulkerrin, as well as the students she works with, to be the best they can be. Emmanuella Gustave-Paul (IV) shares, “I always see [Mulkerrin] working hard every day, helping others prepare for or recover from sports.”
In addition to helping students with their physical injuries, an athletic trainer who is also an athlete herself can also provide insight into the mental blocks and challenges that come with being an athlete. In competitive sports, physical and mental demand is equal, and Mulkerrin provides a shoulder to lean on when times become tough.
Varsity Indoor Track Captain Benny Pierre Louis (I) says,“One thing Courtney has taught me is that an injury is a minor setback, and that rest [time] doesn’t have to be the end.”
Her constant dedication towards both students and powerlifting not only displays her commitment to athletics, but also serves as a reminder that it is possible to have a career and still participate in sports. This is an extremely important reminder for student athletes: successes both on and off the field should be valued and strived for.
Having a trainer who is involved in athletics herself, Gustave-Paul shares, “It shows me that aside from having a busy career, [Mulkerrin] is also a committed athlete and a truly kind person — and that I can do that too.” Mulkerrin’s impact on the BLS athletic community affects far more than just the students’ physical health — she is also an inspiration and a role model to look up to.
Educators, coaches and trainers at BLS set themselves apart by being more than what their job titles entail. They inspire, encourage and ultimately push BLS students to be the best version of themselves, even in the smallest ways. Thanks to the passion of Mulkerrin and other BLS athletic and academic staff, our school community thrives in all aspects.
