Sports Medicine Staff

• Cameron Buchanan, MS, ATC

  A native of Jasper, Ga., Cameron Buchanan joins the staff at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She brings experience gained while earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi as well as her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Buchanan brings a young and ambitious attitude to the Upstate Sports Medicine staff. Buchanan has a love for coffee that keeps her going during the busy times of athletic training, along with her passion for wakeboarding, dancing, rock climbing and traveling. Cameron plans to learn new languages and travel the world to aid her in bettering the athletic training profession.

• William Christman II, MS, ATC, PES

  Will Christman holds the position of Head Athletic Trainer at Wofford College, providing sports coverage primarily for football. He comes to Spartanburg after spending time at Furman University as an assistant athletic trainer. Prior to returning to collegiate athletics, Christman spent time in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. He has also worked with the University of South Carolina, Georgia Tech University and Wingate University. Christman completed two Bachelor of Science degrees from Wingate University in athletic training and physical education before going on to complete his master's degree in sports medicine from Georgia State University. Originally from North Augusta, he now resides in Greenville. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, golf and hunting.

• Alyss Hart, MEd, ATC, PES

  Alyss Hart joins the staff at Wofford College as an assistant athletic trainer. Her main sport responsibilities will be women’s soccer, women’s basketball and rifle. Hart comes to Wofford after completing her Master of Higher Education from Auburn University in 2009. A native of McDonald, Ohio, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training at Wilmington College in 2007. As a member of the Wilmington women’s basketball team, she won a national championship in 2004. In her free time Alyss enjoys basketball, racquetball and traveling.

• Sarah Jordan, MS, ATC

  A native of Blanchester, Ohio, Sarah Jordan joins the staff at Spartanburg Methodist College. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College in 2008. After completing a graduate assistantship at Eastern Kentucky University, Sarah returned to her alma mater to serve as an assistant athletic trainer. She brings a positive attitude, a passion for athletic training and an insatiable appetite to learn. Sarah loves trying new things, traveling, shopping and exploring the mountains. She dreams of living out west and becoming a winter sports enthusiast.

• Mathew J. Lyden, MS, ATC, PES

• In charge of managing Spartanburg Regional Sports Medicine is Matt Lyden. As manager he is responsible for coordinating the athletic training services as well as all other sports medicine related events and programs. He came to the area from Nashville, where he served as associate director of athletic medicine for St. Thomas Health Services for five years. Lyden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both athletic training and exercise physiology from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in kinesiology from Indiana University. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Matt is the proud father of two sons, Mathew Jr. and Connor. In his spare time, Matt enjoys golfing, skiing and triathlons.

• Peg McDowell, MS, ATC, PES

  Peg McDowell joins our sports medicine staff as the "float" athletic trainer. She works with all of our contracted schools, along with providing services in the community at some of our occupational health clinics. She comes to Spartanburg from Charleston, where she was an athletic trainer at Wando High School, while teaching sports medicine classes. Prior to her time at Wando, McDowell was an assistant athletic trainer at American University. McDowell holds a Bachelor of Science in athletic training and exercise science from the College of Charleston and a Master of Science from The Citadel. McDowell now resides in Spartanburg with her husband Christopher. In her free time she enjoys sailing, boating, being outdoors and spending time with family.

• Allen Merrill, ATC

  Assistant athletic trainer at Spartanburg High School, Allen Merril brings a great deal of experience to the Spartanburg Regional Sports Medicine team. He has spent a majority of his career at the high school level. Originally from Colorado, Merrill completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University. Merrill, along with his wife Amy, daughter Rylee and son Jadon, relocated to South Carolina in May 2007. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his kids and going to see his dad on the North Carolina coast.

• Patrick O’Neal, MS, ATC, PES

  Bringing a strong background in athletic training from Appalachian State University and The Citadel, Patrick O’Neal has joined the staff at Wofford College. He works primarily with football and baseball. O’Neal earned his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State where he worked with the 2006 National Championship football team. While he pursued his master’s degree at The Citadel, O’Neal worked with Hall of Fame athletic trainer Andy Clausen. A native of Dobson, N.C., O’Neal now resides in Spartanburg with his wife Katy. In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and spending time with family.

• Phillip Paoletta, MS, ATC, PES

  With a wealth of experience, Phillip Paoletta holds the position of head athletic trainer at Spartanburg Day School. Paoletta earned his Bachelor of Science in athletic training from California State University, then went on to Ohio University to earn his Master of Science degree in physical education. Prior to working with Spartanburg Regional Sports Medicine he put in time working with IMG/Bollettieri Academies in Bradenton, FL as well as ATC/Community Relations Coordinator at In Motion Sports Medicine in Hopkinsville, KY. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Paoletta now resides in Cherokee Springs.

• Melissa Ray, MS, ATC

  Melissa Ray earned her undergraduate degree in athletic training at Gardner-Webb University. She received her master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Texas-Arlington. While in Texas, Melissa was a contract athletic trainer with Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas and has experience with many sports, including wheelchair basketball and triathlons. Melissa joins the sports medicine staff at Converse College. Her primary responsibilities are soccer, swimming and lacrosse. Melissa enjoys being outdoors, rock climbing, water skiing and snowboarding. Melissa lives with her husband in Forest City, N.C.

• Christine “Nikki” Ridgeway, ATC

  A native of Union, Nikki Allen is the head athletic trainer at Broome High School. After graduating from Spartanburg Methodist College, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from the University of South Carolina. Prior to her current position at Broome High School, she worked as an assistant athletic trainer at Union High School. Allen currently resides in Moore, and enjoys spending time at the beach, lake, pool, watching movies and eating.

• Tiffany Walker, MS, ATC

  As a part of the Spartanburg Methodist College sports medicine staff, Tiffany Walker comes to the Spartanburg area after spending two years at Newberry College. Prior to being an assistant athletic trainer at Newberry, Walker completed her master’s degree at the University of Florida. A native of Palm Bay, Fla, she also went to undergraduate school at the University of Tampa. In her free time away from athletic training, Walker enjoys playing basketball and traveling. She is also a Florida Gators’ fan and tries to watch them any time possible.