Ciara Mangan is a senior at NDB and plays volleyball.

The Catalyst (TC): What sport(s) do you play, and what has that time commitment looked like?

Ciara Mangan (CM): I play volleyball, at school in the fall and club starting in the winter, I also played beach volleyball in the spring for NDB. Volleyball is a big commitment with a busy schedule including practices, games and tournaments. I spent most of my free time playing volleyball and I made a lot of great friends in the process.

TC: Can you describe your injury/surgery and how it impacted your ability to participate in your sport?

CM: I tore my ACL in the middle of my volleyball season during a game. After I got hurt, I had to immediately stop playing and was not able to finish the season.

TC: What has the recovery process been like, and when will you be able to return to participating in your sport?

CM: I can go back to playing volleyball in a year. But until then I’m in physical therapy and working hard to be able to play again.

Nicole Tobar is a sophomore at NDB and plays soccer.

TC: What sport(s) do you play, and what has that time commitment looked like?

Nicole Tobar (NT): I played soccer, lacrosse and cross-country this year, but I have played other sports in the past. This year and last year, soccer practices five days a week and games usually on the weekends. After my injury, I still show up to practice five days a week and go to all games to support my team.

TC: Can you describe your injury/surgery and how it impacted your ability to participate in your sport?

NT: My injury, known as an ACL tear, occurred November 22 while playing soccer against Hillsdale HS. It has impacted my ability to participate in soccer sufficiently, especially because I will be out for the rest of the season due to surgery.

TC: What has the recovery process been like, and when will you be able to return to participating in your sport?

NT: The recovery process has been working and most likely after surgery on January 10 I will return next winter, hopefully.

TC: How have you adjusted to your injury? What are some of the ways you’ve been able to manage not participating in your sport?

NT: I have adjusted to my injury by icing it constantly and doing physical therapy in and out of the school. Some ways I have been able to manage not participating in soccer have been focusing on the present and looking at the bright side of the situation.

Alyssa Kimoto is a junior at NDB and does cheer.

TC: What sport(s) do you play, and what has that time commitment looked like?

Alyssa Kimoto (AK): I am a cheerleader for NDB and have been since freshman year. The general practice schedule is five hours per week, in addition to special events like games or competitions.

TC: Can you describe your injury/surgery and how it impacted your ability to participate in your sport?

AK: I’ve had some persistent knee problems for most of my life. Over the past year, I’ve been seeing a sports-medicine and orthopedics frequently for check-ins and cortisone shots. Unfortunately, the effects of cortisone aren’t eternal, nor do they solve the root issue as they are intended for pain management. The only solution for me was going to be surgery. I planned on getting it in March at the conclusion of the season, but as my pain got worse I had to move it to late November. While the surgery itself was minimally invasive, the initial recovery time is four to six weeks of physical therapy, but I won’t be fully myself again for two to four months. I am effectively out for the rest of the season as it stands right now.

TC: What has the recovery process been like, and when will you be able to return to participating in your sport?

AK: Obviously, this was not the news I was hoping for, but when looking at the big picture, it’s the best option. Hopefully, by next season I will be back in full, free from any pain. The recovery has been fairly speedy, much to my surprise. I am supposed to be off crutches tomorrow, which is one week post-op. I’m still dealing with some bruising and swelling, but I haven’t had too much pain. I’m feeling more or less like myself, just moving a little slower than normal.

TC: How have you adjusted to your injury? What are some of the ways you’ve been able to manage not participating in your sport?

AK: I’m certainly missing my sport right now. I’ve had a bit of a rough go-of-it this season, as a concussion took me out for the month of October and I have been out for all of November because of my knee, so I haven’t been participating with the competition girls for about two months. It’s not the most fun thing in the world to be sitting out during practices, but I’m still happy to be there to support them. I’m still looking forward to going to competitions and nationals to cheer on cheer and pom.