La Salle-Peru grad Madeline Smith wins NATA Student Writing Contest

‘It’s such a big accomplishment for us’

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Loras College Masters of Athletic Training students Madeline Smith and Dayna Hartje claimed first prize in the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Student Writing Contest.

They won the award for best Literature Review of the Deloss Brubaker, Ed, ATC, Student Writing Contest for their submission Collegiate Athletes’ Care-Seeking Behavior: The Role and Influence of Athletic Trainers.

It marks the first time Loras students have won this national competition. Smith, 21, is a 2017 graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School.

“Winning this award means a lot to Dayna, my research partner and me as we’re just first-year MAT students and only the second cohort to go through the graduate program at Loras,” Smith said. “It’s such a big accomplishment for us personally and a testament to our hard work, but we are so proud to be able to represent the program as well.

“We are excited to continue our research in the coming year and are so grateful for the continuing support of our advisors and peers.”

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Megan Beard, Ph.D., served as the faculty research mentor for Smith’s and Hartje’s research.

The contest is named for Deloss Brubaker, who chaired the contest for its first 30 years. The contest recognizes early research-related projects from emerging investigators at the professional level. Athletic training students enrolled in professional (undergraduate or entry-level masters) athletic training programs are eligible to participate.