Performance Trainer

Malorie Henderlong

is the Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Auburn University where she works with the women’s soccer team.

Experience

Prior to her time at Auburn, she held a similar role with both the men’s & women’s soccer programs at North Carolina State University during the Fall of 2024. From 2022 to 2024, Malorie was at Baylor University, where she led the strength and conditioning efforts for women’s soccer and assisted with softball. During this period, she also gained valuable experience as a High-Performance Intern with Major League Soccer’s Austin FC. An early highlight of her career came while at the University of North Carolina in the Fall of 2021 where she had the opportunity of working as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning coach for women’s soccer and their legendary coach Anson Dorrance. Malorie got her start in sports performance as a Graduate Assistant at Texas Christian University from January 2020 to June of 2021. In her time at TCU, she oversaw all aspects of strength & conditioning for women’s soccer and men’s/women’s cross country.

Education

Malorie holds a Bachelor of Science in Health & Exercise Science from Spring Arbor University (2019) and earned her Master of Liberal Arts from Texas Christian University (2021). She is certified in CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and FRCms (Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist).

Testimony

As an athlete, Malorie earned All-Conference 1st team & 2nd team All-State honors as a senior at Crown Point High School. Collegiately, she spent her freshman year at Eastern Illinois University. A lack of proper resources and support from the University led her to transfer to NAIA powerhouse Spring Arbor University where she competed during the 2017 & 2018 seasons. As a sophomore, Malorie started all 26 matches for the Cougars, helping them to a 24-1-1 record, Crossroads Conference title, and NAIA National Championship. As a junior captain, she helped lead the Cougars to another conference title and a deep run to the NAIA National Semifinals. For her efforts, she earned 1st Team All-Conference, and 2nd Team All-American honors.

However, her success came at a significant personal cost. Malorie sustained multiple concussions during her time at Spring Arbor. First, in the National Championship game, in which she returned to play. Then another, the fourth of her career, late in her junior season. The cumulative effects began to impact her vision and raised serious concerns about her health.

Behind the scenes, Malorie was also enduring a private battle. A survivor of sexual assault during her time at Eastern Illinois, she struggled with depression throughout her time at Spring Arbor. While soccer served as a temporary distraction during her sophomore year, the emotional weight grew heavier once the season ended. While she would compete one more year as a Junior, her depression was worsening and, coupled with the effects of the repeated concussions, she made the difficult decision to step away from playing in the spring of 2019.

That decision marked a turning point. No longer burdened by the physical and emotional demands of competing, Malorie began focusing on her mental health. With the help of counseling, she was able to start unpacking the emotions & feelings she had been suppressing. More importantly, it was during this time that she began to expand her relationship with Christ. Ultimately, by surrendering her life to Christ her savior, Malorie was able to step out of the darkness that had surrounded her for too long.

All these experiences enable Malorie Henderlong to bring a unique perspective to her work with young athletes. Widely regarded as a rising star in the field of Sports Performance, she has a keen understanding of each athlete’s need for both physical and mental wellness. Understanding this critical physical & mental balance allows Malorie to connect at a deeper level with her athletes and bring out the best in them.