NCAA athletes are those who are looked forward to by many, as they are the up-and-coming track and field stars of the world. However, some junior athletes’ careers are plagued by injuries. Researchers suggest that approximately 67% of former NCAA athletes underwent such career-changing injuries, and while many recovered, a lot also remained who had to back down from their athletic dreams.

Amare Hall is one such junior track and field athlete who is also chasing a dream in sports. However, back in March, the Kent State long and high-jumper slipped on the board making his knee bend inward and backward. Later, MRI reports revealed that the athlete got a hyperextension, ending his season. But Hall was confident about his recovery and made a candid confession regarding his injury.

Taking his time to rise again

“I’m screwed” was one of the first words that came up in Amare Hall’s mouth once his initial thought was that he got an ACL tear, as revealed during an interview with KentWired.com. However, luckily, the MRI reports didn’t show any tear but just a hyperextension for the NCAA athlete, but he was aware that the road to recovery was about to be a long one. Stressing on his mentality, the track and field star revealed that he “had to be very mentally tough,” as he knew where he exactly screwed up while attempting that stint.

So, what is a hyperextension? In such kinds of injuries, the knee usually bends past the normal range of motion, and for cases such as Hall’s, the time of recovery may range from six to twelve months. This means that his seasonal aspirations have already been put to rest due to his inability to compete in any kind of official NCAA events or any kind of activity that might affect his recovery. 

Stressing on recovery, Hall revealed that he has been focused on physical therapy as each of his sessions is helping him to build back his knee’s strength. Apart from the physical aspect, the mental challenges have not been easy for him, as he “couldn’t sleep for a couple of weeks.” He acknowledged that the times are tough, but he’s keeping himself mentally tough and is extremely focused on a stronger return in his career.

Furthermore, the athlete revealed that he has sought divine help as his faith has kept him focused on his road to recovery. “I have always relied on God and the church. You have to believe that even though this is a tough time, you can return,” said the NCAA athlete. Hall has also taken inspiration from his ambitions, as he wants to go back to the person he was before the injury. He is confident and aware of his potential, so he won’t give up until he solidifies himself as a professional track and field athlete out there.

While recovery is no easy task, as he is the one fighting for his own career, he wants to become an inspiration for those who are suffering from a similar fate. Amare Hall is confident about himself and is looking forward to a strong recovery, and his personal trainer is also on the same page, sharing a few insights of his own.

A track and field trainer’s wise words

In any sport, injuries are a common problem that the athletes come across. While a lot recover from them, some, in the process of speeding up the recovery, get into a lot of trouble later on due to the impact that their body went through. Adam Barrett, senior personal trainer and exercise science major, stressed that a slow and steady recovery is the key to the betterment of any kind of athlete. 

Rushing up the natural recovery process can only bring a lot of unwanted trouble and even a chance of suffering the same injury once again. “As long as you trust the process, stay patient and work hard, you will return to where you were, hopefully stronger,” said Barrett in the same interview with KentWired.com. While the process of recovery might seem long, it is the only way of getting back to the ambitions that an athlete was aspiring to before the incident.