TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University athletic department and its sports medicine provider Olympic Sports & Spine announced the hiring of Kyra Balikov and Quentin Posada as assistant athletic trainers for the 2024-2025 academic year.
 
"We're very excited to partner with Olympic Sports and Spine and increase our staff to four athletic trainers! These two are amazing additions and will help improve the quality of care these student-athletes receive," said Head Athletic Trainer Melissa Charon.
 
Balikov and Posada will join Head Athletic Trainer Melissa Charon and Assistant Athletic Trainer Kelsey Bunker in providing medical coverage to all 18 of PLU's varsity sports.
 
Balikov joins the Lutes after working for Inspire Physical Therapy for three years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Tumwater High School. 
 
Balikov holds a master's degree in science in athletic training from Whitworth University. While there, she worked with conference rival Whitworth along with the Community Colleges of Spokane, and Mount Spokane High School. Balikov earned a bachelor's degree in human physiology from Gonzaga University. 
 
Posada is no stranger to PLU and the Northwest Conference. Posada has worked in the athletic training rooms at both Whitworth University and Pacific Lutheran University along with a rotation at Ridgeline High School in Spokane.
 
Posada has a bachelor's degree in clinical physiology from Central Washington University and a master's degree in athletic training from Whitworth.