Arrendondo, Goerlitz overcame the odds
Written by Julia Fischer
Coming back from an injury involves overcoming numerous mental and physical road blocks. Overcoming the stress can be just as hard as pushing past the physical difficulties. The hours of rehabilitation and multiple doctors' visits can be exhausting, but the outcome of being able to play the sport you enjoy is worth it.
Starting a new season can be tough enough as it is, but for two members of the CUW football team the challenge is worth being able to play at Tomasini Stadium once again. Junior Albert Goerlitz and sophomore Jeffrey Arredondo both sustained ACL injuries last school year.
Goerlitz (Withee, Wis.) was injured during the 2015-16 basketball season, more specifically, the fifth practice he landed wrong and ended with a result he never anticipated. Goerlitz decided to have surgery to repair the tear on Christmas Eve of 2015.
Coming back to spring training Goerlitz wasn't able to participate in any of the running, collisions or actual practices. "I was a little discouraged," Goerlitz said. "I wasn't able to do much. I could walk and jog a little bit but that was about it."
Right before the end of the school year Goerlitz was checked out by the athletic trainers and then received a clearance grade by the doctor's to start playing once again.
Being a junior, Goerlitz is now an upperclassman. He still looks up to the seniors on the team and has a lot to learn from them. "I'm able to take more of a leadership role and provide more depth to the safety position and special teams now that I am in my third year," Goerlitz commented.
Having an optimistic outlook on the new season, Goerlitz is ready to work to the fullest of his abilities. "It's been so long since I've been able to get out on the field and play, so I'm excited to get back out there with the team," Goerlitz said.
As well, Arrendondo (Chandler, Ariz.) torn his ACL August 19, 2015 during football training camp. What resulted was surgery on his knee the next week because he wanted to start the healing process as soon as possible.
"My parents were mad that I had the surgery so fast," Arrendondo said. "They were still back in Arizona and wanted to be here, but I wanted to get it done as soon as possible."
Since he was hurt during training camp, Arredondo unfortunately missed the entire season, a year after a successful rookie campaign. "It was tough missing the season. I felt helpless; there were things that I saw that I wanted to fix but couldn't," the linebacker stated.
The start of spring training was what Arrendondo had been waiting for since he had gotten hurt back in August. "It was the greatest feeling coming back. I was back on the field thanks to Angi and the athletic trainers," Arrendondo said. He was officially signed off to play again at the end of May and was eager to start the new season with his team in the fall.
Arrendondo is coming back to the new season with no hesitation. He is back on the field he is ready to get to work. With a successful freshman season, the 6-footer comes back hoping to achieve greater things now that he had a season to observe from the sidelines.
"For me it's all mental," he said. "All the mental hurdles I faced are in the past now, but they were tough to jump when I was challenged with them. Because of the time off I was able to study our defense. Obviously no one wants to be injured during the season, but watching from the sidelines gave me a whole new perspective of the game. Now that I'm back on the field, I'm able to be with some of the older guys and take some leadership and help out some of the new guys."
With both of the players coming into the 2016 season with their fullest potential, the team has a pair of eager and hungry leaders that are willing to guide the underclassmen who are looking to make an impact. Even though just one practice of training camp is in the book, the Falcons have their sights on Finlandia to open the season on September 3 in Hancock, Mich.
Coming back from an injury involves overcoming numerous mental and physical road blocks. Overcoming the stress can be just as hard as pushing past the physical difficulties. The hours of physical therapy and multiple doctors' visits can be exhausting, but the outcome of being able to play the sport you enjoy is worth it.
Starting a new season can be tough enough as it is, but for two members of the CUW football team the challenge is worth being able to play at Tomasini Stadium once again. Junior Albert Goerlitz and sophomore Jeffrey Arrendondo both sustained ACL injuries last school year.
Goerlitz (Withee, Wis.) was injured during the 2015-16 basketball season, more specifically, the fifth practice he landed wrong and ended with a result he never anticipated. Goerlitz decided to have surgery to repair the tear on Christmas Eve of 2015.
Coming back to spring training Goerlitz wasn't able to participate in any of the running, collisions or actual practices. "I was a little discouraged," Goerlitz said. "I wasn't able to do much. I could walk and jog a little bit but that was about it."
Right before the end of the school year Goerlitz was checked out by the athletic trainers and they gave him the stamp of approval to start playing once again.
Being a junior, Goerlitz is now an upperclassman. He still looks up to the seniors on the team and has a lot to learn from them. "I'm able to take more of a leadership role and provide more depth to the safety position and special teams now that I am in my third year," Goerlitz commented.
Having an optimistic outlook on the new season, Goerlitz is ready to work to the fullest of his abilities. "It's been so long since I've been able to get out on the field and play, so I'm excited to get back out there with the team," Goerlitz said.
On the other hand, Arrendondo (Chandler, Ariz.) torn his ACL August 19, 2015 during football training camp. What resulted was surgery on his knee the next week because he wanted to start the healing process as soon as possible.
"My parents were mad that I had the surgery so fast," Arrendondo said. "They were still back in Arizona and wanted to be here, but I wanted to get it done as soon as possible."
Since he was hurt during training camp, Arredondo unfortunately missed the entire season, a year after a successful rookie campaign. "It was tough missing the season. I felt helpless; there were things that I saw that I wanted to fix but couldn't," the linebacker stated.
The start of spring training was what Arrendondo had been waiting for since he had gotten hurt back in August. "It was the greatest feeling coming back. I was back on the field thanks to Angi and the athletic trainers," Arrendondo said. He was officially signed off to play again at the end of May and was eager to start the new season with his team in the fall.
Arrendondo is coming back to the new season with no hesitation. He is back on the field he is ready to get to work. With a successful freshman season, the 6-footer comes back hoping to achieve greater things now that he had a season to observe from the sidelines.
"For me it's all mental," he said. "All the mental hurdles I faced are in the past now, but they were tough to jump when I was challenged with them. Because of the time off I was able to study our defense. Obviously no one wants to be injured during the season, but watching from the sidelines gave me a whole new perspective of the game. Now that I'm back on the field, I'm able to be with some of the older guys and take some leadership and help out some of the new guys."
With both of the players coming into the 2016 season with their fullest potential, the team has a pair of eager and hungry leaders that are willing to guide the underclassmen who are looking to make an impact. Even though just one practice of training camp is in the book, the Falcons have their sights on Finlandia to open the season on September 3 in Hancock, Mich.
