Lindenwood University Athletic Training students recently won first place at the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association District 5 Quiz Bowl on March 17.

They represented the state at the District conference the past two years but did not place last year. They have finished in the top two spots for the state competition in each of the last four years.

Seniors Nicholas Andrews, Aaliyah Moore, and Celia Schroeder made up the winning team that will compete at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Conference in Indianapolis in June.

Lindenwood was the only undergraduate team that competed at the event. The team also is part of Lindenwood‘s last undergraduate cohort of athletic training students, as the master’s degree program kicks off this summer.

Team alternates Caleb Small and Sam Blazek made posters for their three teammates who competed in the event, and they paid big dividends.

“I kept saying over and over, “they made us posters, so we have to win,” Moore said.

Andrews recalled the final question of the event and how the team remained calm and composed.

"After we won, ‘Well that's the confidence and ego boost we needed two weeks before our BOC (Board of Certification exam),” Andrews said.

All LU athletic training students are preparing for the exam and, if they pass, they earn their athletic training certification following their official degree conferral and graduation.

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Dr. Lauren Tighe and Associate Professor of Athletic Training Dr. Tom Godar advised the Lindenwood team.

“Personally, I was extremely proud of our students and the academic and clinical knowledge they demonstrated at the quiz bowl,” Tighe said. “We are very fortunate to have such a great group of students in our program and knowing their work ethic and dedication to the field of athletic training, there was no doubt in my mind they were going to take home the Quiz Bowl win. I am looking forward to celebrating their success at the National Quiz Bowl at NATA in June.”

Throughout the event, the group of students exemplified teamwork – a University core value – by working together to win the competition.