When a student-athlete gets injured, people around them see the cast, brace or crutches of their injury. What they don’t see are the mental challenges, long hours of rehab and the feelings of watching from the sidelines. This past school year, several Evanston athletes have faced this harsh reality. 

No matter how skilled the athlete, injuries can come out of nowhere – one wrong landing, one awkward twist and the next thing you know you’re in an eight week recovery period.

Junior Simone Llanes, who competes in both gymnastics and track, tore her ACL during a gymnastics practice in December. 

“I was going for a tumbling pass on floor —a back twisting full,” she explained. “It was my first attempt, and when I landed, my right leg got stuck in the floor while the rest of my body was still twisting. My knee hyperextended, and my ACL tore completely.”

For soccer player Maya Klein, her knee injury came during a big tournament in Florida. 

“It was the second game of the weekend, and I went in for a 50/50 ball,” she said. “We both kicked it at the same time, and I landed weirdly.”

Both athletes described the moment they knew that their injuries were serious. 

“At first, I thought it was just a pulled muscle,” said Simone. “But when I got the MRI and they told me it was my ACL, I didn’t even react. It didn’t fully hit me until I got to a meet later that day, and my teammates hugged me. That’s when I broke down.”

Maya described her initial reaction as a wave of disappointment. 

“It was just sadness. I love competing and being out there with my team, so knowing I was out — it hurt.” said the athlete. 

The road to recovery is often long and unpredictable. It’s full of physical therapy, patience, and rebuilding. 

“I started physical therapy a week after my injury,” Simone shared. “Then I had surgery in February, and now I’m doing therapy again. My doctors say I can return by November — right in time for my senior gymnastics season.”

For Maya’s recovery, patience has been key. 

“I thought I’d be back in 4-6 weeks,” she said. “But it’s been longer. I’ve had to accept that and focus on getting stronger.”

Injuries don’t just affect an athlete’s physical state of well-being, they take a mental toll. 

“Not being able to run or compete has been draining,” said the gymnast. “Junior year is such a big year, especially if you want to go into college with a sport. And I couldn’t compete at all.”

The hardest part for Maya has been watching from the sidelines. 

“It’s mentally tough watching everyone else play — especially in big games. I just want to be out there helping the team.”

Despite the obstacles, both athletes have found ways to remain close to the game and with their teammates. They continue to attend practices and even watch old competition footage to keep their minds sharp. 

Getting through an injury is nearly impossible to do alone. Coaches, teammates, and family have given these athletes the motivation and support to continue. 

“My family and teammates were there from the start,” said Simone. “That night after I got diagnosed, I walked into the meet with crutches, and everyone just hugged me. It reminded me how powerful support can be.”

“My coaches, family, and teammates have all been super supportive,” Maya added. “They check in on me, make sure I’m okay — that means a lot.”

Being injured is never a good thing, but these athletes have taken a bad situation and done their best to find the positives. For Simone, her injury reminded her to keep having fun and take care of herself.

“Before I got hurt, I was so focused on leveling up in gymnastics that I ignored signs from my body,” the gymnast said. “Now, I realize I need to have fun and take care of myself. Comparing yourself to others takes the joy out of the sport.”

Their messages to anyone going through a similar situation?

“Never let an injury define you,” said the gymnast. “Let it make you stronger.”

“Don’t rush it,” the soccer player added. “Healing takes time, and that’s okay.”

Neither athlete plans on letting their injury define or end their sporting career, both plan on coming back with even stronger spirits, and having learned valuable lessons.