Sports

Presley Marks- Athlete of the Month for Holly Pond and Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman

Presley Marks, Athlete of the Month for Holly Pond (center) with Encore Rehabilitation Athletic Trainer Gage Brewer and Cullman County Schools Athletic Director Wanda Gilliland.

A big congratulations to Presley Marks, Athlete of the Month for Holly Pond High School and Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman!

Presley is a Senior and plays multiple sports for the Broncos-Volleyball (#24), Basketball (#24), and Softball (#4). She was selected to the 2017 All-County Volleyball Team. When not playing sports, Presley enjoys spending time with family and friends and participating in activities with her church. After graduation, Presley plans to pursue Nursing and become an Ob-Gyn. She is the daughter of Shane and Inger Marks.

Have a great Senior year, Presley!

Austin Riddle- Athlete of the Month for Vinemont High School and Encore Rehabilitation – Cullman

Austin Riddle Photo Cullman

Announcing Austin Riddle, Athlete of the Month for Vinemont High School and Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman!

Austin is a Freshman who competes in a variety of sports including Basketball, Baseball, Football, Track and Cross-Country! In his free time, he enjoys sports and church activities. His post-graduation plans include pursuing an Architecture Degree at UAH-University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Austin is the son of Daniel and Missy Riddle.

Congratulations, Austin!

Austin Riddle Photo 2 Cullman

Christopher Broyles- Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Winfield

Christopher Broyles Photo Winfield Revised

Congratulations to Christopher Broyles, Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Winfield!

Christopher is multi-sport athlete competing for the Pirates in Football (#25), Basketball (#14), and Track. He is a Junior at Winfield High School and plans to attend the University of Alabama or Mississippi State University to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. (Great career choice!) Christopher is the son of Billy Joe Broyles.

Way to go, Christopher!

Lexie Childers – Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Hamilton

Alexi Lexie Childers Photo Hamilton Revised

Meet Lexie Childers, this month’s Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Hamilton!

Lexie is a Junior at Hamilton High School where she excels in both Softball (#22) and Basketball (#23). This is her third year playing Varsity for the Aggies.

Lexie’s list of sports accomplishments includes: 2017 All WAC Softball; 2017 Most Improved-Softball; 2017 Most Steals-Basketball; and 2018 All Marion County Basketball. She is also a State Champion with the Dirty Diamonds Softball Team.

Her future plans include pursing a career as a Nurse Practitioner or Veterinarian. Lexie is the daughter of Stephanie and Jamie Childers.

Congratulations, Lexie!

Mason Wakefield – Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Dothan

Mason Wakefield Dothan

A big shout-out to Mason Wakefield, Athlete of the Month for Encore Rehabilitation-Dothan!

Mason is a Senior at Northview High School where he plays Football(#11) and has been Captain for the team for 2 years. He also played 2 years on the Varsity Baseball Team. After graduation, Mason plans to attend Auburn University and study Pre-Med.

In his free time, Mason enjoys disc golf, football, and outdoor activities. He is the son of Sandi and Greg Wakefield.

Congratulations, Mason and we wish you the best!

Clinic Director Dawn O’Keefe- Encore Rehabilitation-Beaumont

Dawn O'Keefe DPT PT ATC Photo 2 Revised

Meet Dawn O’Keefe, PT, DPT, ATC, Cert. DN, Clinic Director at Encore Rehabilitation-Beaumont! Dawn has been a clinician in the Hattiesburg area for 26 years and with Encore Rehabilitation for 17 years. Dawn’s expertise is in providing quality one-on-one care for each of her patients.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Medical Center-New Orleans and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In addition to being a Physical Therapist, Dawn is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. Most recently she has obtained her Dry Needling Certification.

Dawn and her husband, Matt have two daughters, Jordan and Lauren. In her free time, Dawn likes to exercise and run. She has participated with the same girls running group since 1997. Dawn has completed several half marathons and triathlons as well as one marathon. She is a native of Metairie, Louisiana.

At Encore Rehabilitation, we LOVE to see you move!

Justin Byrd, DPT, ATC, new Clinic Director at Encore Rehabilitation-Priceville

Justin Byrd DPT ATC

Welcome to our new Clinic Director, Justin Byrd, DPT, ATC, Cert. DN!

Justin has been a part of Encore Rehabilitation for two and a half years as a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer.

Justin received his Clinicial Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Alabama State University and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from The University of Alabama. While attending UA, he worked with the softball, gymnastic, and football teams. Justin is certified in Dry Needling and is currently pursuing his certification in Spinal Manipulation from the Spinal Manipulation Institute. He will soon earn his Diploma in Osteopractic.

Justin combines his knowledge of the human body with a strong sense of compassion and understanding to develop personal, individualized, patient-centered care for treating a variety of orthopedic and sport-related injuries/impairments. He focuses on hands-on manual therapy that consist of manipulation, mobilization, and dry needling. He desires to help all his patients regain complete functional movement and mobility, especially individuals suffering from back pain, neck pain, tension headaches, and cervicogenic headaches.

Justin is married to Kristie Hutchison Byrd, a native of Priceville. Kristie also works for Encore Rehabilitation as an Occupational Therapist. They are the proud parents of Olivia Kate (Livy).

Congratulations, Justin!

Kanasta Daniel- Athlete of the Month for Vinemont High School and Encore Rehabilitation Cullman

kanasta Daniel Photo Cullman

Congratulations to Kanasta Daniel for being selected as the Athlete of the Month for Vinemont High School and Encore Rehabilitation – Cullman!

Kanasta is a Sophomore and plays multiple sports for the Eagles: Basketball, Softball, and Track. She has also served as a Football Manager. After graduation, Kanasta plans to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Michigan University. She is the daughter of Waylon and Channah Daniel.

Way to go, Kanasta!

Kenya McQuirter-Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year for Alabama

Congratulations to Kenya McQuirter of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School for being named Gatorade Player of the Year in Alabama in Volleyball!

Kenya has 516 kills, 292 digs, 89 blocks and 58 service aces. She is a Junior at McGill-Toolen where she maintains a 3.75 GPA. The the school’s Ambassador Program, Kenya has volunteered with youth volleyball camps and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Kenya is fifth Gatorade Volleyball Player of the year to be selected from McGill-Toolen.

To read more about Kenya, visit #GatoradePOY .

**The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.

Antonia Smith- Athlete of the Month for Holly Pond High School and Encore Rehabilitation-Cullman

Antonia Smith, Holly Pond High School Athlete of the Month, with Gage Brewer, Encore Rehabilitation Athletic Trainer and Volleyball Coach Emily Brown.

Congratulations to Antonia Smith, Athlete of the Month for Holly Pond High School and Encore Rehabilitation – Cullman!

Antonia is a Senior and a Middle Hitter on the Broncos Volleyball Team. Her coach, Coach Emily Brown says, “Antonia is a great athlete with a great attitude and that is not easy to find. Antonia is very special and I am so proud of her!”

Encore Rehabilitation is proud of you too, Antonia! We wish you the best!