Prep softball insider
Beating the odds, KR's Clark returns
After tearing her ACL in soccer, the senior thought she had no chance to play softball, but has started every game.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — Hannah Clark thought her athletic career had ended on the soccer field last August.
In just the second game of the soccer season against Urbana, the Kenton Ridge senior tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. She feared the worst.
Extras
Kenton Ridge first baseman Hannah Clark, wearing a brace on her left knee as she recovers from tearing her ACL in August, lays down a bunt last week against Indian Lake. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic
Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"It was that sickening feeling in your stomach," Clark said.
From that point forward, Clark knew she wouldn't play soccer, or possibly softball, again.
"It was sad," Clark said. "I had started to accept it."
But after two surgeries and a rehabilitation program, Clark is back on the field — playing first base for the Cougars.
"She's played every game," said Kenton Ridge coach Ed Foulk, "and does an excellent job."
Dr. Frank Mannarino at the Kettering Sports Medical Center performed the first surgery in September.
"He was telling her from the first appointment, 'I will have you playing first base,' " said Clark's mother, Tami.
Clark started rehabilitation, which lasted nearly seven months, but felt discomfort in her knee over the holidays and was forced to have a second surgery in March.
On April 1, Clark finally was cleared to play — and she went straight to practice at Kenton Ridge with her doctor's note.
"She was on cloud nine," Tami Clark said. "We were never anticipating that."
"I was thrilled," Hannah Clark said. "It's nice to be a part of the team instead of sitting there and watching. It's nice to be back."
The Cougars are 14-6 this season, and are ranked ninth in the Division II state coaches poll. They also earned the No. 2 seed in the upcoming D-II Urbana sectional tourney.
But for Clark, running on to the field is the most important thing.
"It's just nice to play," Clark said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365
or mcooper@coxohio.com.
