NCAA Gymnastics Update: Iowa Athlete Reflects on Recovery Journey a Year After Brutal Injury: “Defying the Odds”

Facing an injury in the schedules is quite normal in the physically heavy routines of NCAA gymnastics. LSU standout Kiya Johnson made an enormous mark upon her return on the mat after spending one year botched up by an injury. In her return evening against Kentucky, Kiya Johnson posted a perfect ten in the same event she had faced the injury one year ago. One University of Iowa gymnast hearkened back to her recovery sojourn, brimming with hope.

Rather, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ starlet has resorted to IG to display her waving to the NCAA gymnastics. Eventually, in a situation like this, her comeback story has raised more curiosity than ever. 

A soared Achilles and decimation of hopes 

On March 5, the NCAA gymnast Kendall Laplante uploaded an IG story revealing her eclectic schedule on the vault. The Seminole native could do nothing wrong in that snippet. Rather, the caption of the post veered towards- “It’s been a crazy year of defying the odds. Still got work to do but I’m back baby,” the soft-spoken Hawkeye submitted. But with that, Kendall Laplante also pitched in about her gloomy accident. 

“Tomorrow marks one year since I tore my Achilles. Today… I STUCK A VAULT,” was her remembrance of the occasion. Laplante faced turmoil because of injury last year after successfully competing in nine events. It was just before the ultimate Southern Utah Tri-Meet in March. The pre-match practice took a heavy toll on her, rupturing her Achilles heel. The bed-ridden senior gymnast put her share on IG that time: “The sidelines are not exactly where I want to be, but I know I will have my people standing right behind me through it all.” So, after a hefty year, she is back on her feet again to replicate her past success. 

The NCAA gymnastics lore Kendall Laplante crafts

Kendall Laplante’s pleasuring gymnastic turn came in 2019 when the 17-year-old high school attendee vociferously joined the 2019 Junior Olympic national team training camp. That achievement ripened in 2021 in her debut season in NCAA gymnastics donning the Hawkeyes’ leotard. Against rival Minnesota, Kendall Laplante generated a career-best 9.850 on the beam. Meanwhile, in the last season as well, the 2x Academic All-Big Ten continued to display her flaring. In those limited nine appearances, Kendall Laplante inflicted her best performances on both vault and bars, anchoring the Hawkeyes’ success. 

Read more: NCAA Gymnastics News: Narrowly Beating Georgia, LSU Secures Another Record Victory

In the ongoing NCAA gymnastics season, the dazzling gymnast will surely look up to generate the same performances. As of now, Iowa Hawkeyes women’s gymnastics has panned out to be mixed with ups and downs. So, Kendall Laplante’s inclusion would pose a valuable factor in changing that fate. 

Also read: NCAA Gymnastics: Aiming for No1 Spot LSU Is Set for War With Florida