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Anonymous
Sophomore year. Regional wrestling finals. 103#. Consolation semi-finals.
My opponent scrambles to a standing position, and I lock hands around his waist, drop my hips and attempt to lift him to trip him back to the mat.
My left leg buckles inward, and back a little. I don't notice it much right away, and continue wrestling. Period ends, take a short break. Knee suddenly KILLS. Struggle through remaining period, and end up losing match 4-2. Miss trip to state finals.
Doctors check it out the next week, schedule knee surgery for July (tournament was in late February). End up wearing a knee brace that keeps my leg essentially straight as a board for 4 months, because thats the only way it doesn't really bother me.
Surgery comes and goes, bed-rest for three days, crutches for three weeks, physical therapy for three months. (Lots of threes, in hindsight). End up giving up HS football in favor of Cross Country (less potential for re-injury, cared more about wrestling anyway).
Worst part? Found out after the surgery that had we told the doctors that I was an in-season athlete, I would have been in and out of surgery within 48 hours of my first doctor's appointment.
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