Annika Pasch Joins U.S. Biathlon Team as Athletic Trainer

As a part of U.S. Biathlon’s partnership with University of Utah Health, Annika Pasch will join the U.S. Biathlon Team in Oberhof, GER for World Cup 4 as the athletic trainer and medical coordinator for the team. Pasch, a full-time employee of University of Utah Health, will travel with the World Cup team during the season, and be able to support athletes on the IBU Cup in the same, or similar time zone.

“We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Annika to our team,” said U.S. Biathlon Director of High Performance Lowell Bailey. “She brings a huge amount of experience from a variety of sports that will undoubtedly benefit our athletes as they make their way through the international race season. For the first time in U.S. Biathlon history, our athletes will have consistent in-person care during the World Cup season. Her unique background in Nordic skiing and athletic training is just what our team needs!”

"Athletic trainers serve an essential role in supporting the health of athletes at all levels,” said U.S. Biathlon Team Doctor, U of U Associate Professor and Sports Medicine Research Director Brett Toresdahl. “Creating this role for a dedicated athletic trainer for U.S. Biathlon's World Cup athletes has been a team effort between U.S. Biathlon leadership and donors, U of U Health, and athletes who helped recruit and interview candidates for this role. I'm excited for the athletes and coaches to experience how Annika can support the team in so many ways.”

An NCAA Nordic skiing athlete, Pasch competed for Gustavus Adolphus College where she worked to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training, minoring in English. She then went on to Concordia University Wisconsin, where she received her Master’s of Applied Exercise Science. Over the last decade, Pasch has worked at numerous orthopaedic practices, namely University of Minnesota, Shattuck St. Mary’s School, USA Hockey, Minnesota State University, and most recently, Twin Cities Orthopedics - University of St. Thomas. She comes to the U.S. Biathlon Team with extensive experience in the sports world, having grown up as a Nordic skier, as well as having worked with athletes from ice hockey to basketball to dance. 

“I grew up cross-country skiing and competed collegiately, so I am excited for the opportunity to combine the love of my lifelong sport and the passion of my athletic training career,” said Pasch. “I have previously worked with collegiate cross-country running and track which will help give me an advantage looking for soft tissue injuries and similarities in training methods for endurance athletes. I also have experience with USA Hockey on the women's side that has given me opportunities to travel internationally at U18 world championships. Overall, I am passionate about approaching athletes I work with from a collaborative view, whether this is nutrition, mental performance, training load, injury prevention and management!” 

Working closely with U.S. Biathlon athletes, team doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, coaches and staff, Pasch will be a crucial player in ensuring the smooth running of all team medical services. 

“While the athletes are fortunate to have the support of a multidisciplinary health team of consultants through the USOPC, we recognized the need for someone with medical training to be on the ground with the athletes to coordinate and implement the care and initiatives from this multidisciplinary team,” added Toresdahl. “Annika will be instrumental in helping athletes tap into the support from the USOPC health team and navigate the medical services when needed while training and competing abroad."

“I think it’s going to be really helpful to have a full time trainer traveling on the road with us,” said Olympian and World Cup athlete Deedra Irwin. “It adds some consistency to the care we are receiving while traveling all winter. Annika is someone I have known for a long time. She is passionate and hardworking and I’m excited to see how her skills and knowledge will help keep us healthy, fit, and ready to compete all season long.”

Pasch will jump in head-first and travel with the World Cup team to the remaining six World Cup stops, as well as World Championships in Lenzerheide, SUI. During the summer months, Pasch will support University of Utah Health on the ground in Salt Lake City, UT, as well as working remotely to support the U.S. Biathlon Team. Welcome, Annika!