SODA SPRINGS — It’s not uncommon to see parents in the bleachers supporting their kids at sporting events, especially in a small town like Soda Springs.

Some parents even continue watching games after their own children graduate.

But it’s not likely that you’ll find too many who are more dedicated and who have overcome more challenges than Soda Springs “superfan” Trini Bowen.

Bowen grew up playing multiple sports in Cokeville, Wyoming, so it seemed only natural for her three sons to follow suit. Her three boys, Hunter, Easton and Camden, spent countless hours and multiple season participating in football, wrestling and baseball for the Cardinals, and though she was employed as a dental hygienist, Bowen was proud of the fact that she rarely missed a game.

Her life changed dramatically during Camden’s senior year, when a four-wheeler accident left her paralyzed − a quadriplegic.

Through the resulting challenges, Bowen lost some opportunities to do what she wanted to do. But she was determined that her accident would not prevent her from doing the one thing that she loved more than just about anything − cheering for local high school athletes.

“I try to go to as many (games) as I can,” said Bowen. “Definitely all the indoor ones, and if it’s warm, I try to make it to whatever is going on outside.”

With a specially equipped van complete with a wheelchair ramp, and with the help from community members, Bowen manages to attend nearly all of the Soda Springs High School home sporting contests, while also traveling to games as far away as Aberdeen, Preston and Pocatello. She also attends as many outdoor sports as possible, but cites the infamously poor Southeast Idaho weather as a prominent deterrent that prevents her from getting 100% attendance at chilly baseball and football games.

Her presence is appreciated by both parents and players. Multi-sport student athlete Kinley Osburn has fond memories of playing in front of Bowen.

“It’s nice to always see (Bowen) in her corner. You can always see her smile over there…. She has a big crowd around her. She always has people talking to her because the community loves her,” Osburn said. “It’s also special that she doesn’t have any kids in high school anymore, but she still wants to support all of us, whether that’s middle school or high school. Any sort of sport, you can always find her.”

Though she’s a few years younger than Bowen’s sons, Osburn recalls seeing her at games long before she had her own reserved spot next to the bleachers.

“When her sons were in high school, she was always cheering on her boys and all the other athletes, I remember she always had her camera and was taking pictures of everybody,” Osburn said. “It’s super cool to see that she hasn’t changed the way that she does things even after her accident.”

Bowen is simply grateful for the chance to continue watching the sports she loves in a community that has helped give her a new lease on life.

“Everybody always supported my kids and I just want to support everybody else’s kids,” Bowen said. “A lot of these kids don’t know me, but a lot of them do.”

If her recent attendance at competitions is any indicator, it’s likely that more and more Cardinal athletes will soon come to know one of their greatest fans.