Susan Jackson
(Napa)
Sac Joaquin Section High Jumper
and the big come-back!!
May, 2006
Couple of knee surgeries slowed one of state's
top high-jumpers for a time!!
Joe Hartman photos of Susan Jackson in this year's Sac Joaquin Meet
where she was the Champion at 5-08
A year ago when we did some extensive previews of the State Meet
field events we asked a question about what had happened to Susan Jackson
of Napa HS, who had jumped great through the mid-2005 season:
Question we would like answered: What
happened to Susan Jackson (Napa) 3rd in last year’s meet–she
did jump earlier in the year with a runner-up effort at Stanford?
Answer - Well, I have the answer for that.
She is out with an injury, she tore her meniscus pretty bad and had
to have surgery to have it reattached. She has been out for quite some
time, she had the surgery I believe April 31st and is to be out of
sports for at least 6 months. She will not be able to play basketball
next season. So we should look forward to her return next year for
the 2006 track season.
OUCH!!
Below, Susan tells us the story of the surgeries (two on her meniscus
on both knees), and what had to be a tremendous effort in full recovery,
which appears to be complete as we finish the 2006 season. She is
among the state favorites at 5-08 and a Sac Joaquin section title a
week back in the event. The big comebacks are always the best
stories, with athletes like Susan certainly having to have a special
appreciation for everyday out at the track now, able to take part in
an activity where
she has
had such success at and shown such special abilities!!
Best of luck this weekend, with Susan below taking us through her two
surgeries and time of recovery since April 2005.
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com
My surgeries were a couple of of the hardest times that I
will ever have to face in my life. I have been running and jumping
since
kindergarten.
track has always been my life.
My surgeries taught me about being an athlete. They taught me that
to be an athlete you will fail countless times, but every time you
need to get back up and look towards the finish line. If something
gets in your way you cannott just stop, you have to get around it and
work through it.
Both surgeries that I had involved a six month recovery process.
My first surgery, April 14, 2005, was the worst for me. I did not know
what
to expect or how long it would take. I did not know if I would be back
in time for my next season. I still went to practices and watched what
the team was doing. I went to the meets and cheered everyone on like
I was still competing. Going to the meets and watching everyone
made me stronger. My second surgery, August 12, 2005, was not as hard
for me becasue I knew what was coming and what I had to do to get better.
It was more threatening then the first due to the fact that it was
a six month recovery and if I did recover in time then I would be back
right as the season started.
I had physical therapy for an hour and a half twice times a week. it
was a painful recovery process. I had to teach myself how to distinguish
the difference between pain that was from recovering or pain that would
make it worse and possibly ruin the surgery and I would have to have
it again.
It was not a fun experience but I am glad that I am healed and back
where I was before my surgeries. Looking back on it now I realize how
much
it has taught me and how I am a better athlete from the experience
I have had. I have to thank my parents and coaches as well as my friend
Luis Aguiniga for helping me through this rough time, but I look at
it as a learning experience.
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