Athens, Ga. (Oct. 7, 2021) – Piedmont Athens Regional’s Sports Medicine department announced Piers Ringdahl, a boys soccer player at Oconee County High School (OCHS), has been named Athlete of the Month, a program that recognizes one high school student athlete each month for his/her demonstrated perseverance through an athletic injury or medical illness either on or off the field.

Ringdahl, a senior at OCHS, suffered a right patellar (kneecap) dislocation at the end of April 2021. He completed six weeks of rehabilitation that included closed chain activities, agility and change of direction drills, and strength training before being discharged in June to return to play with his team. 

“Piers always came to rehab ready to give his full effort,” said Justin Stewart, Piedmont Athens physical therapist. “He was always ready for the next task or next progression.”  

The Athlete of the Month program was established by Piedmont Athens Regional’s Orthopedic Sports Medicine team in an effort to support and recognize local, hard-working student athletes.

“Each month, we focus on one high school and meet as a committee, which includes the school’s athletic director, other members of their team and members of the athletic training program,” said Katie Terrell, athletic trainer and outreach coordinator for the hospital’s sports medicine program. “These amazing athletes overcome so much in order to play each year, and we wanted to find another way to support them as well as our community.” 

As the Athlete of the Month, Ringdahl received an award and was featured in the Orthopedic Sports Medicine facility located on Piedmont’s Oconee Health Campus in Watkinsville, Ga.

“Piers worked hard and was dedicated to doing his exercises and to getting back on the field,” said Stewart. “He had a mental fortitude that was fearless.”

Click here for more information on Piedmont's sports medicine programs.