Student Athletes Battle Back From Injuries
5/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Student-athletes are forced to deal with disappointment early in their careers. These setbacks range from losing to a rival to not qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
There are also times when student-athletes must deal with physical limitations. The body can only take so much punishment from running and lifting before it decides to stop, sometimes against the athlete's wishes. MSU track athletes Steve Manz and Jeff Kus both understand the strength it takes to compete -- and the strength it takes to sit out.
Manz, now a sophomore, joined the men's track and field team in 1999-2000. He showed up for his first season as a Spartan as excited as the next freshman. During the third day of running drills, Manz was faced with his first big challenge as he injured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Two surgeries later, he was ready to go through the rehabilitation process.
"I didn't really know where I stood or how good I would be," Manz admitted. "I took the mind set that I had to get stronger in the upper body while my lower body was hurt."
During the first four months of his MSU career, Manz became stronger and more anxious to compete. By mid-March of that season, he was working on perfecting his skill as a thrower. Never once did Manz give up or let his injury get in the way of his training. He felt he needed to prove himself worthy of being a Spartan more than ever.
Manz accomplished just that. He had a very successful - and healthy -- year as a redshirt freshman, breaking the school's indoor shot put record six times before setting the new record at 61-6?, earning All-America honors and making a trip to the NCAA Championship. During the outdoor season, he kept breaking school records in the shot put, unleashing a throw of 58-6? at the Hillsdale Relays.
After a record-breaking 2001, Manz aspired to keep the shattering marks during his sophomore year. A friendly wrestling match in the fall ended up making his dream a little more challenging, however, as he sustained another injury to his right foot. This fracture not only required the insertion of a plate and five screws, but it had an effect on his confidence.
"The second time was really upsetting," said Manz. "I had a lot of expectations after my sophomore year. I knew I was going to come back from it. I kind of looked at it like I had done it before. I'm still recovering, but it's come along pretty well."
With more rehabilitation and the support of his coaches, teammates and family, Manz has started to make his comeback. His goal - "being the best" -- is what keeps him going day to day.
Senior Jeff Kus' situation is a bit different. He hasn't been sidelined due to surgery, but has been plagued with various minor injuries that get in the way of competing since high school.
"It's really frustrating," Kus said. "Once I start to get into shape or feel like I am starting to get to my peak for the season, I'll get hurt. I really haven't had any chances to reach my potential.
"I keep going because I love the competition and trying to reach my personal goals."
With that love as a motivating force -- and with the continued support and motivation the coaches and team provide -- Kus has perservered. The physical rehabilitation is pretty standard and aimed at getting Kus back to being healthy enough to compete.
"My body is very worn down right now," explains Kus. "I'm so hurt and aching. Even if I am healthy, it hurts when I wake up in the morning. I am going to have to find new ways to get pumped up. I will always have that drive to compete and reach my goals, but it makes things harder when you are hurt."
Besides the physical pain, Kus has had to deal with the mental pain of not being able to compete to the best of his ability despite pushing himself to "dig through" the pain, as he puts it.
"Mentally, it is tough because people don't understand," said Kus. "There is a lot of pressure on you to compete and do stuff while you are hurt. Some people don't understand how much it actually hurts and how tired you get."
Kus has learned when he can compete and when it is better to take a day off. During his four years at MSU, he's has matured into thinking about the long-term effects of competing through a small injury prior to a big meet.
Despite the injury struggles, both athletes have future goals in mind. Manz has two years of eligibility left at MSU and hopes to break more records during his junior and senior years. Kus, meanwhile, wants to continue competing in the high jump and possibly the decathlon after his college career concludes.
