When Lindsay Blakney walked into her Introduction to Sports Medicine class at Wenatchee High School as a sophomore, she had no idea that classroom would be the launchpad for an extraordinary career journey—one that recently took her across the Atlantic Ocean to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland.

Blakney, a WHS graduate, is now in her final year of the Accelerated Master of Science in Athletic Training program at the University of Pittsburgh. This fall, she achieved what many aspiring athletic trainers only dream of: she was selected as one of only two students in the nation to complete a clinical rotation with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, and she traveled with the team to their international game in Ireland.

But her story begins right here in Wenatchee.

Where It All Started: WHS Sports Medicine

"In high school I took an Introduction to Sports Medicine class in my hometown of Wenatchee, Washington," Blakney said in a recent interview with the University of Pittsburgh. "We learned about anatomy and sports medicine and worked after school as athletic training student aides assisting our athletic trainers. I knew in my sophomore year of high school that athletic training was the career that I wanted to pursue."

That Introduction to Sports Medicine class—part of Wenatchee High School's award-winning Career and Technical Education (CTE) program—provided Blakney with hands-on experience that would shape her entire career trajectory. The program allows students to work directly with WHS athletic trainers, gaining real-world experience with injury prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation.

From Student Aide to NFL Sidelines

Blakney's path from WHS student aide to NFL athletic trainer demonstrates the real-world impact of quality CTE programs. At Pitt, she was selected from among highly qualified candidates for the competitive Steelers rotation—a position offered to only one or two students per year from programs across the country.

Her responsibilities with the Steelers mirror those of a certified athletic trainer: opening and closing the athletic training facility, setting up practice fields, covering practices, observing evaluations, and assisting with treatment and rehabilitation. "It is basically a full-time position," Blakney explained. "I was treated like a certified athletic trainer schedule-wise."

Taking Her Skills International

In September, Blakney was selected to travel with the Steelers to Ireland for their game against the Minnesota Vikings—an experience that required months of advance planning and meticulous attention to detail.

"The teamwork that goes into a project this massive was incredible," Blakney reflected. "From the medical staff to the marketing staff to the equipment staff to the coaches and players, this was a huge team effort."

The Foundation Built at WHS

Blakney credits her Wenatchee High School experience as the foundation for her success. The hands-on learning, mentorship from WHS athletic trainers, and exposure to real athletic training scenarios gave her the confidence and skills to pursue this competitive field.

Her journey exemplifies what quality CTE programs can achieve: they don't just teach concepts—they open doors to careers students might never have imagined.

Looking Ahead

Blakney will continue working with the Steelers through February 2026 and plans to pursue a career in professional or high-level collegiate football after graduation.

"I love the fast-paced environment of football, and the collaboration that is required in this setting," she said. "The skills and experiences I have gained at the Steelers and all of my clinical rotations through Pitt's AT program will certainly help me achieve those dreams."

But those dreams started in a classroom at Wenatchee High School—proof that the right program, at the right time, can change a student's life.

WHS Sports Medicine Program

Wenatchee High School's Sports Medicine program is part of the school's comprehensive Career and Technical Education offerings. Students gain hands-on experience in anatomy, injury prevention, and athletic training while working directly with certified athletic trainers and WHS athletes. The program has earned recognition for preparing students for careers in sports medicine, physical therapy, and health sciences.

For more information about WHS Career and Technical Education programs visit their website for more . ​​​​

 

Read the original article on the University of Pittsburgh website

 

Photo caption: Lindsay Blakney during a timeout in the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings Ireland game. Photo courtesy of Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers.