Participating in a sport at S.H.S. offers new friendships, leadership positions, and opportunities to attain skills one can use in their post-high school life. Although many great values arise from the athletics here at S.H.S., there is a chance of injury while participating in any sport. 

  Junior Miles Nawrocki plays as an h-slot, which is an offensive position for Sterling’s football team. In Week Two,  during a game played against St. Francis, Nawroki broke his right collar bone in the beginning of the second quarter. 

  Nawrocki said, “The doctors told me it would take about three months to fully recover. The worst part of recovery was having to stand on the sidelines of football games week after week, watching my team play without me. It was hard knowing how long the recovery was going to take.” 

  In a cruel twist of fate, Nawroki had the same injury last season, only with his left clavicle. It is understandable why a young athlete like Nawrocki could feel discouraged, though Nawrocki also mentions the values a person should grasp while being injured, include focusing on a support system, whether that is family or friends. 

  Nawroki also mentions, “Mentally, I think this injury gave me the motivation to work harder. It feels like I have to make up for lost time.” 

  It is important to find light in a dark situation. Sadly, injury to athletes is inevitable, so staying positive through those tough times is key.   

  Junior Marco Chino knows what it is like to try to stay positive through tough times. Chino plays as S.H.S.’s varsity goalie for the boys soccer team. Although Chino has played soccer for seven years, he had never experienced a major injury like he did this season.

  Chino completely tore the ulnar collateral ligament tob, alongside an avulsion fracture. Chino’s doctors’ initial response to his injury was very concerning. 

  Chino said, “My doctor told me that this may be much worse than I think. He said it would take about five months to recover, to regain just ‘75%’ strength back in my hand.” Although the initial response from doctors was not ideal, Chino remained optimistic throughout his surgery and recovery. 

  While it is universally understood that the recovery process would be mentally tough on any athlete, one of the most vital aspects of this process is to remain positive. 

  It is important to know that pain does not last forever and that there is always time to heal like Nawrocki and Chino currently are in the process of right now. 

  Athletes understand that while having an injury could take away from time in a season, it is important to turn this frustration into motivation for the recovery process and working harder for the next season.