Current Student Bios

Bridget Barker

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sport’s Management from the University of Nebraska – Kearney.

Sport Experience: Bridget started playing competitive soccer at a young age, which continued into 4 years of playing at the college level.

Research/Consulting Interests: The psychological impact of injury, how interruptions in sports impact mental well-being, stress, performance anxiety and depression treatments in athletes.

Hobbies: Exercising, being outdoors, hanging out with her dog, watching sports and being around family and friends.

Maddie Butzine

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in criminal justice from Iowa State University.

Sport Experience: Maddie was a competitive dancer from kindergarten through middle school. She then joined her high school dance team where she also coached the middle school dance team and special needs dance team.

Research/Consulting Interests: Motivation, performance anxiety, burnout and mental recovery from injury.

Hobbies: Baking, hiking, reading and spending time with family and friends!

Madisen Charles

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Public Health from Hollins University.

Sport Experience: Madisen grew up playing competitive soccer and played collegiately at the Division III level for four years. In high school, she played field hockey, basketball and soccer and ran cross country.

Research/Consulting Interests: Injury recovery, performance anxiety and player-coach communication/relationships.

Hobbies: Exercising, reading, playing with my dog, Remi and spending time with family and friends.

Molly Grabarec

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Sport Experience: Molly played competitive softball for 13 years, in addition to playing for her high school team. Since the end of her journey as an athlete, Molly has continued her passion for sports by refereeing and later becoming a supervisor for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's recreational facility.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance anxiety, motivation, confidence and mental health.

Hobbies: Camping, reading, going to coffee shops and spending time with her friends and family.

T’Nahleg Hall

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Sport Management from St. Ambrose University.

Sport Experience: In high school T’Nahleg participated in football, swimming and track and field. After high school, T’Nahleg went on to play football at the Division 2 Level. After college, T’Nahleg pursued the professional route by receiving minicamp invites from the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Research/Consulting Interests: Mental Health, Performance, Anxiety, Motivation and CTE studies.

Hobbies: Listening to music, watching sports, dancing, strength training, shoe shopping and spending time with family and friends!

Austin Jepson

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Sport Experience: Austin played competitive soccer beginning at the age of 7. He continued to play soccer at the Division One level attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where he led his team to the program’s first ever Horizon League regular season championship in 2017. He was named Horizon League player of the year and First-Team All-Region as well as First-Team All-Conference his senior season. Austin then went on to play professional soccer for four seasons. Two seasons with St. Louis FC (USL Championship) and two seasons with Forward Madison FC (USL League One).

Research/Consulting Interests: Injury prevention and recovery.

Hobbies: Running, lifting weights, yoga, food, attending/watching Packer games, golf and spending quality time with family and friends.

Sawyer Lovstad

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a History Minor from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

Sport Experience: Sawyer played competitive football from third grade until graduating high school. Sawyer also played baseball for many years before transitioning to golf during his senior year of high school. Along with playing sports, Sawyer took on the role of a team manager for his high school basketball team during his senior year. Sawyer also took part in some athletic training courses while in high school which required working with athletes and their injuries.

Research/Consulting Interests: Development of Self-Confidence, Team Cohesion and Injury Recovery in a professional or collegiate environment.

Hobbies: Being with friends and family, golfing, watching the Badgers, Brewers, Bucks and Packers, playing video games, being active and enjoying nature.

Jessica Maes

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin - Parkside.

Sport Experience: Jessica has experience supporting high school and college students in the pursuit of academic success, amateur and professional actors and singers in the pursuit of performance preparation and business professionals in the pursuit of personal development support.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance anxiety, mental well-being, goal setting, mindfulness/meditation and arousal regulation.

Hobbies: Knitting, travel, genealogy and spending time with family!

Lexi Meade

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Sport Experience: Lexi was a two-time WIAC player of the year while golfing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau and is a current member of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Women's Golf Team.

Research/Consulting Interests: The intersection of gender and sport as well as intentionality in athletics.

Hobbies: Reading and spending time outside with her dog Milo.

D. J. Messman

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sports Coaching from Butler University.

Sport Experience: DJ played multiple sports at a young age including soccer, basketball, baseball and racing go-karts. DJ has raced go-karts competitively since the age of 5 and still enjoys it to this day. In high school, DJ played soccer, basketball and golf and participated in track and field as a thrower. In college, DJ was a strength and conditioning coach for a high school swim team and was an assistant coach in track and field for the throwers.

Research/Consulting Interests: Injury recovery, concussions and CTE, coaching and injury/re-injury and performance anxiety.

Hobbies: Being around friends and family, playing sports, watching sports and cooking.

Destin Payne

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s in psychology from St. Norbert College.

Sport Experience: Destin played basketball and football from an early age through high school. He also participated in powerlifting in high school and found a new passion for exercise during his undergraduate experience.

Research/Consulting Interests: Goal Setting, performance anxiety, confidence and motivation.

Hobbies: Exercising, watching movies/sports and spending time with family and friends.

Holly Reynolds

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication from Carroll University.

Sport Experience: Holly played a variety of sports growing up including basketball, volleyball, dance and track. Holly continued throwing in track at the Division 3 level and played club volleyball during her undergraduate studies.

Research/Consulting Interests: Injury recovery, coaching, motivation and team cohesion.

Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, reading, watching sports and listening to new music.

Keara Ryan

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University.

Sport Experience: Keara played competitive basketball from an early age, at the AAU and high school levels.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance anxiety, motivation, burnout, leadership/coaching styles effect on athletes’ mental health, youth sports and injury recovery.

Hobbies: Exercising, reading, being on the lake and hanging out with friends and family!

Kiley Smith

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University.

Sport Experience: Kiley played tennis and volleyball throughout high school, before joining the club tennis team at Colorado State University and coaching children in the sport. Kiley continues her love for exercise by working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer at Orangetheory Fitness.

Research/Consulting Interests: Exercise adherence, motivation, sedentary behavior, sport transitions and retirement.

Hobbies: Running, reading, hiking, going to concerts and spending time with family!

Annie Swaters

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Central College.

Sport Experience: Annie played competitive basketball from a young age and went on to play Division III basketball for four years of college. Throughout her life, she has participated in various sports including softball, volleyball, track and field and basketball.

Research/Consulting Interests: Injury recovery, burnout, performance anxiety and team culture.

Hobbies: Exercising/playing sports and spending time with family and friends.

Alexa Bentley

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Montana.

Sport Experience: Alexa played competitive soccer from an early age and went on to play Division 1 soccer for her first two years of college. She is currently privately coaching youth soccer players in Green Bay.

Research/Consulting Interests: Body Image, player-coach communication/relationships and CTE studies.

Hobbies: Hiking, long walks, volleyball, playing with her cat and her dog, shopping, coaching and spending as much time as she can with friends and family!

Chanel Bradford

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lakeland University (WI)

Sports Experience: Chanel played competitive basketball for 14 years. This includes 4 years playing DIII college basketball.

Research/Consulting Interests: All aspects of collegiate athletes, performance anxiety, motivation, burnout and eating disorders.

Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, watching sports and exercising.

Shayne Buchanan

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a Minor in Communication from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

Sports experience: Shayne has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2012 and provided Massage Therapy for professional and amateur athletes including Real Salt Lake Soccer Team, PGA Tour golf, Bodybuilders and CrossFit Athletes. Shayne played Football as a teenager and competes in Powerlifting recreationally.

Research/Consulting Interests: Psychological benefits of exercise, injury/re-injury anxiety, motivation and fatigue management strategies.

Hobbies: Going on drives, movies, strength training and enjoying nature walks.

Juan Burleigh

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Sports experience: Juan competed in cross country and track in high school as well as in college. He also played baseball in high school. During college, Juan found his love for cycling. He loves to ride solo and be adventurous or participate in group rides.

Research/Consulting Interests: Virtual reality to simulate in-game experiences, motivation and injury recovery.

Hobbies: Cycling, running, dancing and anything exercise related.

Abbi Byrne

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University.

Sports experience: Abbi played competitive soccer from an early age and has helped coach at the high school levels. In high school, she also participated in cross country and has since continued by running a half marathon and many other races.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance anxiety, motivation, team cohesion and injury recovery.

Hobbies: Exercising, shopping, playing with her two dogs and being around friends and family!

Joel Doxtator

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies form UW-Milwaukee.

Sports experience: Currently Athletic Director and Coach for a Sacred Heart School. Joel has coached a wide variety of sports football, baseball, basketball and even soccer which he has never played. Joel has been coaching since his senior year of high school.

Research/Consulting Interests: Youth Sports, motivation and performance. Helping youth realize their potential through sports.

Hobbies: Spending time with Family, relaxing on the pontoon and sitting by the campfire.

Benjamin Dresdow

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Sports experience: Ben was a high school participant in track, cross country and basketball. He also has experience with competitive swimming and forensics/debate. Ben is an avid lover of sports and a dedicated fan of basketball, football and all Wisconsin sports teams. During his undergraduate career he participated in many intramurals and spent time playing basketball and exercising in his free time.

Research/Consulting Interests: Motivation, Team Cohesion, Leadership in Sports, Coaching, Diversity in Sports.

Hobbies: Exercising, Reading, Watching and Playing Basketball, Spending time with my son and cooking!

Brehna Evans

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Cloud State University.

Sports experience: Brehna has competed in both basketball and track throughout her life. She is also a former college basketball player.

Research/Consulting Interests: Youth sports, injury recovery, mindset, burnout and motivation.

Hobbies: Exercise, music, golf, watching sports and reading.

Megan Fox

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology / Bachelor of Professional Studies in Exercise Science - Central Washington University.

Sports experience: Megan is a former college soccer player and has previously coached women’s high school players.

Research/Consulting Interests: Most successful stress, anxiety and depression treatments in athletes leading to prevention of suicides.

Hobbies: Exercise, hiking, camping, watching sports, photography.

Emari Hardy

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hope College.

Sports experience: In high school Emari participated in four sports, basketball, football, track & field and powerlifting. After high school Emari was a Division 3 dual sport athlete participating in football, track & field.

Research/Consulting Interests: Motivation, Goal setting, Imagery, Personality in sport.

Tamia Mcdougald

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Campbell University.

Sports experience: Tamia has been around football and basketball since she was younger as she has two brothers who play both sports. She has clinical experience working alongside Athletic Trainers during football preseasons and Women’s/Men's basketball during her time at Campbell University.

Research/Consulting Interests: The effects of effort vs performance pep talks prior to games and its relation to athletic performance.

Hobbies: Going to Atlanta Hawks games, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Andrew Soto

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; University of Wisconsin Lacrosse.

Sports experience: Andrew played competitive soccer beginning in elementary and still enjoys playing to this day. In high school, he participated in various sports including basketball, track and field and soccer. He enjoys staying active by running and going to the gym often. He also helped coach for the Special Olympics program in La Crosse during his time there as a student, specifically helping with soccer and basketball teams.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance Anxiety, injury recovery, motivation and mental health.

Hobbies: Working out, Thrifting, playing video games and hanging out with friends and family.

Jeramiah Tschirgi

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology; University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

Sports experience: Jeramiah played competitive hockey from age 5 until college, played rugby for all 4 years of high school and has coached both sports since high school.

Research/Consulting Interests: Concussions and CTE, motivation, team dynamics and injury recovery.

Hobbies: Playing hockey, rollerblading, hiking, playing with my animals and traveling.

Betsey Walkowiak

Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Sports experience: Betsey is currently a Division 1 swimmer at UW-Green Bay and has been swimming competitively since she was 7 years old. Betsey has also coached multiple age groups in swimming through private lessons and group practices.

Research/Consulting Interests: Learning about mental health within the NCAA and Professional athletes as well as performance anxiety and goal setting.

Hobbies: Swimming and spending time with family and teammates!

Rachel Zerona

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Health Nutrition from Oakland University.

Sports experience: Rachel was a Division-I softball player at Oakland University. She has over 12 years of experience and has coached at the high school varsity level for four years. Throughout her life she has participated in track and field, basketball and strength training.

Research/Consulting Interests: Performance anxiety, motivation, team culture, mindset and visualization.

Hobbies: Reading, exercising, taking her dog for walks, golfing and spending time with friends.