Capitol News

Two alumnae from Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have been selected to support Team USA athletes as registered dietitians during the summer 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Carrie Aprik and Kate Davis, graduates of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition with a focus on exercise physiology, will be responsible for supporting the health, wellness, and performance of athletes during the Games, which begin on Aug. 28.

“Every day I am inspired by the accomplishments of our extraordinary alumni,” said Les Bourquin, chairperson of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “We are immensely proud of Carrie and Kate for achieving this outstanding honor. It is testament to their hard work and commitment to excellence in their field. I know the entire CANR community will be cheering them on as they help Team USA athletes compete at their highest level this summer in Paris.”

Both Aprik and Davis were mentored by Lorraine Weatherspoon, a professor and associate chairperson and director of MSU’s Didactic Program in Dietetics.

“As their former teacher and mentor, I am thrilled that Carrie and Kate have earned this tremendous opportunity to use their talents and training in support of Team USA,” Weatherspoon said. “They exemplify the outstanding strength and attributes of our Dietetics alumni community, and I could not be prouder of both of them.”

In 2014, Aprik connected with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) while consulting at Oakland University. She began contracting with the U.S. Figure Skating and Women’s Hockey teams, serving as a Team USA dietitian at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Aprik continued her consulting work until becoming a full-time USOPC winter sport dietitian in 2022.

Davis noted that her connection with Aprik helped her begin working with the USOPC. In 2018, when the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team needed an additional dietitian, Aprik recommended Davis.

“I remember I got this call and it’s Carrie saying, ‘We need help and I think you’d be great!’” said Davis. This led her to contract with U.S. Women’s Hockey before responding to a job posting for team dietitian for USA Men’s and Women’s Goalball, a Paralympic sport.

For Davis, this will be her first opportunity to travel to the Paralympic Games with Team USA alongside a fellow Spartan. “It kind of blows my mind because not many dietitians go to the Games,” said Davis.

Aprik expressed similar sentiments about this opportunity.

“I felt so emotional when they told me Kate was also coming to Paris,” said Aprik. “I started thinking back to our days working together in grad school.”

As graduates from one of the top dietetics programs in the country, both Aprik and Davis emphasized that their success would not have been possible without practical training and mentorship received during their time at MSU.

Reflecting on advice for future Spartan dietitians, both encouraged students to embrace taking chances. “Don’t put yourself in a box or let anyone else put you in a box,” said Aprik.

Davis stressed building connections: “Even after being a dietitian for 17 years, I work outside my comfort zone nearly every day.”

Aprik and Davis hope viewers keep in mind the extensive work behind these events. “Throughout the Games, we often only hear stories about a handful of superstar athletes,” said Aprik.

Davis added that preparation requires significant time away from family but is driven by love for Team USA: “It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”