Athletes are commonly highlighted by their success in sports, but what is not often seen is the small but significant successes of athletes who have recovered from an injury and continue to be athletes. That bump in the road can heavily impact an athlete’s mental state and the physical injury they suffer from. Returning to the flow of constant competition and practice is difficult to reach, but these athletes have fought their way from the bottom to succeed in the sport they love.

Coming back onto the field or floor is not easy, and having a coach or friend for encouragement or support creates positive motivation and a support system to talk to. Senior Sydney Mullen is a gymnast committed to the University of Maryland.

During her time recovering from torn ligaments and an injured tendon on the bone, coaches were there to meet her needs and see her continue to succeed.

“Sometimes landing certain skills, I land awkwardly and I get scared, but my coaches are great to support me and to help my needs,” Mullen said.

Unfortunately, not everyone has this type of support or any at all. Every athlete’s story is different, and every injury comes with different complications and struggles. And there is always the possibility to overcome and share the journey. Larson Moreno, a soccer player who tore his meniscus during his junior season, struggled and persevered through it.

“I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it because I didn’t want to,“ Moreno said. “I didn’t want to tell anyone how I felt because I knew I would be better after healing. But it was hard then. Emotionally, everyone handles injuries differently, but physically spreading awareness on sports injuries can help to share and relate what someone went through, so it can help them persevere through it.”

Travel season ended for Moreno when he began the recovery process from the injury, drastically taking many fond memories bound to be created. After countless hours and hard work put into games and practices, it stops when their body betrays them, physically and mentally. An injury can be noticeable on the exterior but rarely evident in the player’s mind.

“I just watched those people I played with my entire life play the sport I played for forever, and I couldn’t do anything,” senior football player Samuel George said. “All I could do was watch.”

Similar to Moreno, George tore his ACL while playing in a 7v7 football game. Sadly, George was unable to finish his senior season of football but continues to stay athletic through working out. His situation is an example of how negative from an injury can be overwhelming; everything seems impossible, but some athletes find ways to overcome or rediscover themselves.

“I’ve changed my perspective on where I was at due to my injury,” Mullen said. “I was going so fast I couldn’t do anything after surgery, so I took time to find myself outside of gymnastics.”

Even after all of the negatives and battles fought to recover, athletes find the joy they once had and enjoy the moment they have to be an athlete. They find themselves back out on the field or floor expressing what has been repressed from them.

“I’m motivated to give it the best I can and enjoy it as much as I can because I know not every game is guaranteed,” Moreno said. “I get one more game every week to play with my friends, and I feel happy about that.”

After her recovery and taking time, Mullen’s athletic and academic career will continue with The University of Maryland. She has returned to gymnastics as strong as she was, if not better than before her injury.

“Getting back into gymnastics and to do what I love got me back into perspective of where I was at, picturing myself and my life for the next four years there is exciting,” said Mullen.

Though George was unable to finish his senior season of football, he will return to track and field after he finishes what was a long recovery. Within track and field, sprinters like George use blocks that help to accelerate the start of their races.

“Since coming back, I’ve had to switch my block start, so it’s been difficult to deal with that change, and you can see the differences in my times,” said George.

Both of these talented athletes were able to return to their athletic mindset and compete, this was not the case for all athletes. During Moreno’s first game of the season, a scrimmage against Harrisonburg, he tore his ACL similar to George’s injury. Moreno is currently waiting to see if he will be able to continue the season.

“In about two weeks I know if I need surgery or not,” said Moreno. “It is partially torn so there’s a chance I’m back on the field to play my final season.”