Every morning, the Bowie training room is bustling with activity as athletes file in to receive treatment for soreness or injury. At the center of it all are Bowie’s athletic trainers: head trainer Pablo Riera and assistant trainer Ysabel Cuellar, who is new to the program this year.
Cuellar went to high school at Anderson and applied for the job at Bowie to get back into the Austin area. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in athletic training and started her training career at Elgin High School and Elgin Middle School.
“I’ve always loved everything about the environment of athletic training,” Cuellar said. “I did sports medicine in high school and really enjoyed the sports setting, and after that, I knew I wanted to continue studying it.”
Athletic trainers specialize in the muscles and bones of the body, as well as injury prevention and diagnosis. According to many students, Cuellar uses efficient treatment techniques and has become someone whom they can rely on. One of these students is junior Maren Moore, who says Cuellar has helped her countless times when she was suffering from physical injury.
“At the beginning of this year, I had a hip injury, and would go to the trainers to receive treatment,” Moore said. “Coach C was always there, ready to help, so I could quickly get back to playing.”
Adapting to an unknown workplace and community of people can be difficult, but her colleague, Riera, says Cuellar is a good fit for Bowie and a role model for his sports medicine students. And adds that her positive attitude encourages the kids and brightens the overall environment.
“I think she brings a new perspective and new drive to the program,” Riera said. “She has a hard-working attitude that brings much-needed energy to what it means to be an athletic trainer.”
As Cuellar settles into her role, her dedication and enthusiasm haven’t gone unnoticed by staff and students alike. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the new environment, she embraced the challenge and quickly found her place in at Bowie.
“My favorite thing about Coach C is that she’s easy to talk to and get along with,” Moore said. “Whether it’s talking about injuries and health, or something smaller like chatting about how the day is going.”
As said by many students, Cuellar’s approachable personality and genuine care for athletic training have made her a trusted figure among Bowie athletes. Her ability to connect with her students on a personal level is something she takes pride in.
“Interacting with the athletes and getting to know them better while helping them with whatever they are going through is my favorite part of my day,” Cuellar said. “It’s very exciting to be at a school with such talented athletes and a competitive sports program. I can’t wait to see what great things our sports teams accomplish.”
