Bio

Kayla O’Connell joined the Catawba College Sports Medicine staff as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2023. Her primary sports assignments include Cross Country, Football, and Beach Volleyball.

O’Connell graduated from the University of Florida (UF) in May 2023 earning a Doctorate in Athletic Training. While completing her doctoral work, O’Connell served as an Outreach Athletic Trainer at local Gainesville, FL high schools. Prior to UF, O’Connell was the Athletic Trainer at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, MD. O’Connell earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (2019) and Master of Science in Athletic Training (2020) degrees at Shenandoah University where she was also a member of the softball team.

 O’Connell is a board-certified athletic trainer (ATC) and a licensed athletic trainer (LAT) in North Carolina. O’Connell holds additional certifications as an M1 Graston Provider and Level 1 Functional Movement Screen provider through Functional Movement Systems. O’Connell is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.