Stephany Mertins has been selected as Naval Station Everett’s Female Athlete of the Quarter (AOQ) for Spring 2005. The secondclass petty officer works in the Health Services Department at Naval Reserve Readiness Command Northwest (REDCOM).

The award recognizes athletes not only for physical fitness, but also for leadership and the desire to help others, said NAVSTA Everett’s community sports director, Bill Gatlin. The AOQ is honored at an awards ceremony, their picture placed on a commemorative wall in the gym, and each athlete receives $25 gift certificates from Gart Sports and the Sports Authority.

Mertins, a Hospital Corpsman, helps oversee the military health needs of more than 4,500 drilling reservists at 18 sites covering 10 states in the western United States.

“Helping people is what she does every day,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Charles Bloomquist, who works with Mertins at REDCOM. He cited Mertins for dedication in administering the command’s Physical Readiness Training (PRT) program.

“Diet, exercise, lifestyle tips, or just being a partner to run with someone,” Bloomquist said. “She’s there to do it all. Always available, always ready to help.”

At REDCOM, Mertins continues to work with active duty staff members and reservists to increase physical fitness and promote a healthy lifestyle.

“I like to train myself, and see results,” Mertins said. “And it’s great to be able to combine a love of sports with my desire to teach.”

The Missoula, Mont. native has already helped three of her shipmates lose a total of almost fifty pounds. In her off duty hours, Mertins also spends time as a personal trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness, a local gym. She competes and helps others train in state and national fitness competitions.

“The walls of my office are covered with bibs (racing numbers worn by athletes competing),” she said. “People from all over the command come in and see them, and know that I’m serious about fitness, that it’s a force in my life that drives me.”