In one of the first meets of the outdoor season, the 100m hurdles is up, freshman Audrey Ames rushes through the finish line with a great time.
Her teammates came up congratulating her. Ames not happy she said “my knee hurts”
Next practice, Ames did not feel her greatest and was running slower than usual.
The day after, she struggles to run. Then she struggles to walk. “There’s something wrong with my knee” said Ames leading her to go to the doctors later that day.
The next day Audrey was not happy and had on a knee brace “I am out for the season,” Ames said.
During Audrey’s freshman year, she struggled with a major knee injury that cut her season short.
Audrey had a weak anterior cruciate, also known as a seatbelt injury. Ames injured the area that holds her knee in place causing many dislocations after any minor activity.
Audrey has been an athlete throughout her life, playing soccer until her sophomore year and basketball in middle school. But this was her first ever major injury. This lead to Ames struggling emotionally having to not be able to do the sport she loves.
“It made me a lot more grateful for my sport because I had to experience life without it,” Ames said.
To hopefully heal the injury faster Coach Carr had Audrey continue to minimally train with different workouts than other and excersies to stregthen the knee.
Though she could not run, Audrey continued to train and gain strength back in her knee.
“If an athlete is injured it is best to continue to follow through with recovery and stay involved with your team and teammates,” Carr said
Audrey listened to Coach Carr’s advice her knee injury started to heal by her sophmore seasin she was able to run again and set a new personal record.
Audrey thought she was ready for her junior year.
“I have been training all summer, and I am ready for the season,” Ames said.
Unfortunately, she injured herself during training this fall.
“My knee dislocated last night and I cannot walk,” Ames said. “My doctor said I may need surgery .”
Audrey is now considering surgery but is trying to work on her knee without it, so it does not set her back too far and does not ruin her chances of college track
This experience helped Audrey find her future path. Thought it was a rough patch in her life Ames learned how much track effects her life by being a sport she truly does love and hopes to continue after high school.
“I have been emailing college coaches and I am excited about college” “I hope my knee stops getting in the way of the track,” Ames said
Ames continues to train and work towards her goal of running in college.
“I was lucky enough to get injured as an underclassman so my recruitment process has not been affected,” Ames said
Now audrey continues to work towards the goal of running in college but also to better herself as a runner. Which Ames has already done by helping her team win gold in the indoor OATCC state championship.
With the continous work and motivatian Audrey has a bright future in track not only in highschool but also at the collegiate level.
