HAWK TALK

March 2013

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Reynolds Works Back From 2nd ACL Tear By Aaron Blau I t takes a special person to turn a serious injury at the Division I level into a positive. Kathryn Reynolds did just that. Reynolds, a sophomore on the University of Iowa women���s basketball team, was looking to do big things during offseason workouts last spring. She played in 21 games as a freshman and was eager to attack the offseason in order to gain more playing time in Year 2. ���Both injuries were similar, but I���ve learned to have more patience the second time around,��� Reynolds said. ���I know it���s going to take a little bit longer with it being the second time. ���The first injury has really helped my mindset. I���ve learned to trust my knee and trust that it���s strong enough. I���ve been through this before and I know what my knee can take.��� Reynolds��� plans changed drastically in early April, as she suffered a torn ACL in her left knee during the final drill of a workout. It was the second time Reynolds tore the ACL; the first tear came six games into her junior year of high school. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and focusing on her injury, Reynolds decided to take an active role on the bench. Her role isn���t only helping her teammates; it���s helping her see the bigger picture when she returns to game action. Instead of focusing on the ���what could have been��� thoughts for her sophomore season, Reynolds attacked rehab with the same intensity she had planned to bring to the court. The results are showing in the training room. ���I���ve gained a ton of basketball knowledge,��� Reynolds said. ���It has allowed me to take a step back and understand what is being taught by our coaches. With the separation of not being on the court, I feel like I have a deeper level of understanding with the things that are being said by our coaches. That will be beneficial when I get back on the court.��� ���Rehab is going very well,��� Reynolds said. ���I���m working my way back into cardio shape and I���ve been able to get on the court and work on some more basketball-related workouts, which has been great. (Athletic trainer) Jennie Sertterh and (strength and conditioning coach) Gabby Quiggle have been working with me a lot, and they have been so helpful.��� Going through a traumatic injury like an ACL tear for a second time in three years can take a toll on an athlete���s mindset. Instead, Reynolds chose to learn from her first experience. Reynolds is a business management major, but the injury might have led her into another career path. ���Coaching down the road is a thought right now,��� Reynolds said. ���This has given me a taste of what coaching would be like, and I think it���s a possibility for me in the future.��� 11

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