Cohen

LAHAINA – Don’t be surprised when you see a bright new face along the sidelines of Lahainaluna High School sports contests this fall.

Rebecca Cohen, who in May graduated from Ithaca College in New York with a degree in athletic sports training, just happened to have Luna Athletic Trainer Jon Conrad’s friend as a college professor.

So when Trainer Jon sent word out that Lahainaluna was sorely in need of an assistant athletic trainer, his friend immediately informed Cohen, 22, of the opportunity.

That set the ball rolling in a westward direction, and now the jovial personality of Cohen is the newest member of the Luna training staff.

She grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and participated in fencing and volleyball in high school.

Cohen set off for college as a pre-med and sports medicine major but soon altered the course of study to athletic trainer.

“I really liked being a part of the team – especially the wrestling – and it’s all been great so far,” she said last week from the training room office.

“I see myself going to med school someday, but I’m really loving all this so far.”

“The people here are so welcoming and friendly,” she continued. “And Jon (Conrad) has been so helpful to me – he even helped me find a car. This training room is amazing, so spacious and equipped, very impressive. I am finding this to be a great move for me.”

Trainer Jon said, “My college roommate highly recommended Becca to us, and we are very much pleased that she chose to come here. The student athletes are quickly responding to her, and that is a good sign. She has a really friendly demeanor, and that goes a long way in communicating with the student athletes. This is a great step for Lahainaluna.”