you’re practicing to be your best, it’s hard to give your muscles time to rest and heal.

 

Coming from a small school, the chances of becoming injured are even greater due to lack of substitutes, athletic trainers, and aftercare; however, what our school lacks in experience, we make up with heart. The heart and passion show through in every moment; even into the moments after injury. I speak from experience when it comes to athletic injuries. I have been walked off a field, court, and practice many times after obtaining sprains, breaks, and the occasional concussion. Whether these injuries happen in-season or out, it impacts not only you, but the team and even the school.  UME Senior Hannah Minnich also knows too well the effects of sports injuries. Last season in volleyball she broke two bones which led to a long road of recovery and training. This opened up a new team dynamic when we both focused on our injuries together. We had to begin training with the mindset that we had something holding us back, but that we could overcome this with extra practice and determination.

 

The goal becomes rehab, walking, and continuing to support your team through every victory, loss, and tough time along the way. That is what being a UME player is all about. You no longer put yourself in the spotlight, but look at what other ways you can benefit the team without actually playing.  Between our football team that consistently suffered injuries almost every game to our girls' volleyball team who continued to wrap their knees, ankles, and occasionally wrists. We can see just how hard the hits are that these student athletes are taking, but have no fear; each and every season we continue practicing to become better players, students and individuals.