This feature originally appeared in the 2025 Summer edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.
 
 
Thirty minutes into the 2025 National XVs Championship game, California rugby player Joe Kirsten cried out in pain on the pitch, scarlet red drenching his hand. The Golden Bears' medical staff sprang into action to treat a deep laceration that nearly split his web in two. Head Coach Jack Clark called for a blood substitution, starting a 10-minute clock for Kirsten to receive treatment before having to retire him from the game. Although the chances seemed slim, Cal rugby's medical team miraculously patched Kirsten up and cleared him for action. Kirsten went on to score a try that sealed the Bears' 55-38 victory.
 
Leading the charge that night was Associate Athletic Trainer Lindsay Renterias, MS, ATC.
 
Renterias has a decade of experience as a certified athletic trainer. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2016, and obtained a Master of Science degree in Integrative Human Physiology from Central Washington University in 2018.
 
Renterias' journey with the Bears began in 2018-19 when she was an athletic training fellow with the rugby program. She took a full-time role as an athletic trainer at Louisiana Tech from 2019-21 before returning to Cal as an athletic trainer with the football team. Renterias spent two years on the gridiron before earning the promotion to her current role and getting back to her roots – the rugby pitch.
 
"I was excited to return to rugby in a head role because I knew how much potential there was in this position," Renterias said. "I am able to grow professionally every day working with a highly competitive collision sport, as well as manage a medical team throughout the year. The success and structure of the Cal rugby program was an opportunity I could not pass up."
 
It doesn't take a medical degree to know that the game of rugby is demanding of the human body. From the loosehead prop down to the fullback, every player is asked to put their entire body on the line.
 
Rugby players tackle, sprint and scrum, using each one of their 206 bones and 600+ muscles in every match – without the aid of helmets or pads.
 
"The intensity of a rugby game is unmatched," she said. "I am on my toes for the full 80 minutes knowing that anything could happen at any moment. I am constantly exposed to new injuries and medical scenarios that keep me growing as a medical professional. Keeping rugby players healthy is not a job for the weak, but at the end of the day the student-athletes' success makes it worth it."
 
Not only does Renterias have a mastery of her profession, but she couples her tactical skills with a profound compassion for others, which is what makes her invaluable.
 
"Lindsay's care and dedication to the team is what makes her the best AT in the business," recently graduated lock Tom Dixon said. "She's always willing to do the little things that no one sees – she knows when to push you and when to back you, and that balance is what makes her so special."
 
The Bears battled a slew of injuries last season that challenged the roster's depth. But Renterias, along with her athletic training fellow Kristy Yeung, worked relentlessly to rehabilitate injured players back to the pitch. Every inch of tape, cupping session, and surgical rehab that Renterias had her hand in helped the Bears on their journey to win the championship.
 
"Lindsay is a unique and exceptional composite of athletic trainer," Clark said. "Her skills and knowledge are world-class, and importantly, she also cares deeply for our students. Because of this, the players have a sincere love and trust of her. She is a critical piece of our team."
 
"Without Lindsay, I'd have probably played half as much rugby in the past year," Dixon said.
 
Dixon suffered an injury, which sidelined him for the Bears' entire postseason until the championship match – his final chance to don the Blue & Gold hoops.
 
"She's helped me rehab multiple injuries in, almost always, less time than first expected, and is the reason I was able to return to play in the final," Dixon said. "I wouldn't have been able to achieve my dream of winning a rugby national championship without her."