TrainerSync Triumphs at Bucks Go Pro Finale, Earning $10,000 for Innovative App
In the final round of The Ohio State University’s Bucks Go Pro competition, the team TrainerSync secured the $10,000 Joan and Chester Luby Microgrant Prize. This year’s competition, an extension of the Best of Student Startups (BOSS) program, continues to support innovation and entrepreneurial skills among Ohio State athletes by offering a platform to develop and present their business ideas.
“The creativity and dedication displayed by these student-athletes are truly inspiring,” said Cheryl Turnbull, the director of the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship. “The Bucks Go Pro program continues to build on the foundation laid by the BOSS program, providing invaluable opportunities for our students to innovate and lead.”
The TrainerSync team consists of Mandy Schlueter, Ava Bramblett, Marilee Karinshak, and Molly Pritchard, all members of the Ohio State women’s soccer team. Their mentor is Will Allen, principal at Magarac Venture Partners. “This is an app that helps athletes and trainers come up with efficient plans to rehab from injuries, including tutorials, videos and surveys,” Bramblett said. "It allows athletic trainers to spend less time logging histories and patient information, enabling them to spend more time with the patients, providing treatment and knowing exactly what will benefit the athletes."
The idea for the app came from Bramblett's own experience with injuries as an athlete. "I have a torn labrum in my hip, so I spend almost every day in the training room to prep my body for performance,” she explained. “I’m currently opting for a non-surgical route, which requires a lot of management. This app is designed to track those things and help me perform at my best," she explained.
The Bucks Go Pro finale is part of the BOSS program's expansion, which also includes the BOSS Space Ventures competition. This expansion was made possible by a grant from the Joan & Chester Luby Charitable Trust. Trainer Sync plans to utilize the prize money for app development and testing. “With the money, we're going to help us with our app creation, and then start implementing it with the Ohio State training rooms to figure out the app and adjust any bug fixes,” Bramblett added.
The runners-up in the competition, Play Abroad and Torn, each secured a $5,000 Joan and Chester Luby Microgrant Prize for their innovative ventures, showcasing the diverse and dynamic range of ideas brought forth by the participants. Play Abroad, the first and only recruiting app that helps athletes and teams find the perfect fit worldwide, was led by Panagiota Charalampous of the Ohio State pistol team. The team was mentored by Nick Ruebel, relationships manager at eFuse, and Tina Provost, CEO and co-founder of Five Star Fans.
Torn, an app that connects athletes with similar injuries to foster a supportive community and empower them in their recovery journey, was led by Brooke Vinson, Delany Harlan, and Darrien Furiness, all members of the women’s lacrosse team. Their mentor is Ryan Miller, co-owner of m2 marketing, co-founder of The 2nd & 7 Foundation.