Weldon stays upbeat after ACL injury

Monday, March 10, 2008

Chakeitha Weldon’s freshman season ended in a split second. Driving to the basket in practice on Feb. 5, Weldon jump stopped to avoid a teammate. Her knee twisted, and the intense pain that followed left her writhing on the floor.

“I was screaming at the top of my lungs,” she said.

Weldon tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. But that didn’t stop her from remaining an emotional spark plug for this young Kansas squad. Weldon continues to lead the Jayhawks in their spine-tingling pregame routine in the huddle, even doing so while on crutches in Manhattan, and tracks statistics during practice.

“She’s the biggest cheerleader in practice,” Henrickson said. “You can’t say that about every kid. She is the sunshine for us every day.”

After successfully undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 22, Weldon has been a fixture at the end of the bench during games.

Fortunately for Weldon, she has been able to rely on teammates and the coaching staff for support. Assistant coach Kyra Elzy suffered the same injury twice during her career. Fellow freshman Nicollette Smith and junior Katie Smith have also torn knee ligaments. Weldon said that having people close to her who were familiar with the injury and rehabilitation helped her stay positive mentally.

“It’s unbelievable,” Weldon said. “They’ve been very supportive and been there for me. I can’t thank them enough.”

Despite the devastating nature of the injury, Weldon can recover knowing she showed Henrickson what she can bring when she gets a chance to contribute. In the two games prior to the injury, she averaged 7.5 points and more than two assists per game in less than 20 minutes. Henrickson said Weldon’s progress on the court should help her find motivation throughout the rehabilitation process. She will need it, as she will spend nearly every day with the training staff for the next five to six months.

“Her and the trainer are going to be new best friends,” Henrickson said.

Weldon said she knew the process would be difficult, but the idea of rejoining her teammates on the court was enough to motivate her.

“I can’t get down about it,” she said. “I just have to stay strong and stay positive for the team. Next season, that will make me stronger.”

Henrickson said that she has admiration for Weldon’s game, but that she admired the young point guard’s mindset most of all.

“She has every right to have a pity party and invite all of us,” she said. “But she has not done that one minute since she got hurt. I just have great respect for her for doing that.”

— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird

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