CLEVELAND — It is safe to say 2008 Reeths-Puffer High School graduate Andrea Chilcote is loving life right now.
"All I wanted to do was help people," Chilcote said. "It is so fun to help these athletes perform at this level."
She is living her dream as a trainer for the Iowa women's basketball team. In her second year in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes are back in the Final Four for the second straight season.
"It is crazy to think about how the different steps in my career have led me here," Chilcote said. "I feel like I am capable of taking on so many different things that come at me in terms of injuries, other relationships at work, other relationships with working professionals. I feel very comfortable with where I am at in my career and just being here with this team and being able to help the student athletes."
One of those steps was at her alma mater Grand Valley State University. She has also had stops along the way at Wayne State and Central Michigan. However, there are quite a bit more fans attending the Hawkeyes women's basketball games than anywhere she has been before.
"There are so many people," Chilcote said. "In terms of other famous people. Jason Sudekis. I've met him twice now. Like what? He came to my place of work. It's weird to think that this is my job."
The fans are there to see Caitlin Clark - the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in both men's and women's basketball.
"My coaches describe it as we are the Beatles," Chilcote said. "Like literally people see Caitlyn and they start crying. I definitely always wanted to work with high-level athletes, I didn't think I would get the opportunity to get to work with this high level of athletes."
And Chilcote has developed a special relationship with the college basketball star.
"It is so great that I will be able to work with her and to gain her trust," Chilcote said. "She and I do treatments together. Being able to help her is exactly what I wanted."
One thing The Twin Lake, Michigan native also wants is to be relaxed during these big games, but it is not easy at all.
"I get really stressed but I just try and think of all of the things that I have to do before the game," Chilcote said. "This person needs medicine. This person needs biofreeze. This person needs this. I just think of my list of things to do."
The No. 1 thing Chilcote hopes to check off of the list is to come out on top as a National Champion.
"It would be so much fun if we won," Chilcote said. "I would be so happy for all of our seniors. Last year it was, 'Make it to the National Championship' and we did. 'Oh my gosh.' This year we could win."
However, win or lose, Chilcote is just glad to be a part of the ride.
"It is just a really big blessing in life to have people around you that you enjoy doing life with so much," Chilcote said.
UConn stands in Iowa's way for a trip to the national championship game. Tip in that Final Four clash is set for 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday night. The game will be televised on ESPN.
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