One second, you’re sprinting down the court, powering through the last lap or diving for the ball. The next, you’re on the ground, pain cutting through the adrenaline, teammates standing over you waiting for you to get up. But sometimes, you don’t.
Injuries are an unavoidable part of sports, sidelining many athletes at the peak of their season and forcing them to navigate a long, often isolating, road to recovery. The physical pain is one thing, but for many, the most difficult part is wondering when—or if—they’ll return to the game at full strength.
Girls basketball player senior Ivana Siu knows that feeling well. A poorly timed jump in practice left her with a sprained ankle and an extended recovery period.
“Since it was my first year returning to basketball after taking a break, it was discouraging to be on the bench,” Siu said. “I cheered on my teammates and celebrated the good shots, but I was disappointed that I couldn’t contribute more to my team.”
Northwood’s athletic trainer Andy Sepulveda sees it all, from minor sprains to season-ending injuries. Depending on the severity, athletes are prescribed physical therapy exercises to re-strengthen torn ligaments and muscles, whether it’s just a few days of ice and rest or months of intensive rehab.
The recovery process is different for every athlete, but it almost always comes with frustration and requires perseverance.
“When someone gets hurt and comes after practice, I evaluate them and we give them exercises, stretches or some rehab—either a home program, or if we can do some in here,” Sepulveda said. “We have a lot of resources that can be used in therapy.”
But beyond the recovery process, for student-athletes whose schedules revolve around practice and competition, an injury can feel like losing a big part of themselves. Besides disrupting the momentum of a season, losing the progress gained from training is just as difficult as the injury itself. The uncertainty of being able to return to full performance leads to frustration, and injuries may also affect team dynamics as members adapt to new roles.
Cross country runner junior Bejamin Pham struggled with this after shin splints derailed his training.
“That led to a pretty disappointing sophomore year, but the support I got and the running mates that helped me get back into shape kept me liking the sport,” Pham said. “Even though I wasn’t as good at it as I was before, it kept me coming to practice.”
Even from the sidelines, injured athletes find ways to stay engaged and can play a vital role by offering insights or supporting teammates while concurrently focusing on their recovery. It’s a frustrating reality of sports, but one that is inevitable when you play the game.
