Kari Wentland, a United States Coast Guard veteran, enters her fourth year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Norwich University. Hired in September 2015, Wentland primarily works with the men's fall rugby, women and men’s cross country, wrestling, and men's lacrosse programs.
Wentland has a Bachelor of Science degree in both Athletic Training (’10) and Sport, Fitness and Leisure (’96) from Salem State University. In 2015 she obtained a Master of Education degree with a major of Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maine in Orono, home of the Black Bears. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including physical therapy clinics and with athletes of the recreational, high school, college and olympic levels. Additionally, Kari has expanded her clinical skills when she became a certified Massage Therapist in the state of Maine in 2014. She has been a proud member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association for over 14 years.
As a volunteer with the U.S. Olympic Sports Medicine Program, Kari had the privilege to work with elite athletes at both the Colorado Springs, C.O. and Lake Placid, N.Y. olympic training centers. She gained valuable experience by working with the U.S.O.T.C. medical staff with sports such as men’s gymnastic, wrestling, cycling, bobsled, skeleton, freestyle skiing (aerialists) and paralympic shooting. She has volunteered for the Boston Marathon, along with the Beach to Beacon 10K, Peaks to Portland Swim, Sunday River Tough Mountain Challenge and Dempsey Challenge, all of which take place in Maine.
While serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Kari was first stationed in Newport, R.I. and then at Small Boat Station Hull, M.A., just outside of Boston. Her duties included aids to navigation, search and rescue, law enforcement and ongoing training in multiple fields. In October of 2000 she completed Basic Emergency Medical Technician training for the Coast Guard in Petaluma, California. In 2003 Kari completed her four-year military obligation with an honorable discharge.
Kari resides in Montpelier and enjoys visiting and spending time with family in Maine. She can be found cycling the mountainous roads of Vermont or venturing out on one of the many beautiful hiking trails.
