Charge. Crack. Crash.
These motions are becoming more familiar to high school students, with ACL tears increasing 26% over the past 15 years, according to the National ACL Injury Coalition.
This nationwide trend is reflected locally in student athletes.
Athletic trainer Katelyn Banner shares that ACL injuries have been prevalent for some time, but their causes have generationally shifted.
“With less outdoor play, we’re seeing more broken bones in sports. In the athletic training community, we talk a lot about why ACL injuries are so common despite all the research and prevention programs. Factors like nutrition and sleep are crucial,” Banner said.
Freshman Colton Bost and sophomore Gianna Burgos suffered ACL injuries during sports competitions.
Burgos tore her ACL during a basketball game, sidelining her from sports for the first time in 11 years.
“The hardest part was staying motivated. It sounds simple, but it’s tough. Sometimes the mental part is harder than the physical part,” Burgos said.
Bost tore his ACL during football season. He was devastated by the MRI results, as they confirmed he couldn’t continue to play a sport he’d played since second grade.
“Stay positive and don’t take playing sports for granted. I’d give anything to be able to play with my friends right now,” Bost said.
