Jaelyn Rufenacht became the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Goshen College in July 2022 and was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer in July 2024. She is a 2020 Goshen College graduate.
"Jaelyn was a student-athlete who excelled academically and also was a leader on the softball team," said director of athletics Dr. Erica Albertin. "She has worked to build relationships with our student-athletes and athletic staff and her athletic training skills are top-notch."
A native of Pettisville, Ohio, Rufenacht played softball at Hesston College and later Goshen College. She obtained an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Hesston in 2018, a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Goshen in 2020 and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Indianapolis in 2022. She graduated summa cum laude from both Hesston and Goshen.
Rufenacht described her journey to head athletic trainer at Goshen as a full circle moment that she never even envisioned might happen. "I was once in the athletic training room as a patient and now I am the one treating patients," she said. "I have had many roles within the walls of the athletic training room, and I believe they have all played a part in the approach I will take as the new head athletic trainer. The last two years working at Goshen have prepared me for this role, and I am very excited to move forward and continue to provide our student-athletes with the care they deserve."
While serving as the assistant athletic trainer, Rufenacht was an assistant coach for the 2024 GC softball team, the winningest team in program history.
"Jaelyn is a great fit for our staff and ready to lead our athletic training department," said Albertin. "I'm thrilled she will be our next head athletic trainer!"
Rufenacht enjoys running, biking, being with friends and family, and binging various TV shows in her free time.
