By Sierra Williams
Staff Writer
A traumatic injury often leaves an athlete wondering about whether or not they will be able to play their sport or participate in any athletic activity again. Varsity shot put and discus participant junior Ciera Brown overcame the odds of a traumatic injury and continues to thrive on the field and in the pit.
Three years ago, while she was in the eighth grade, Brown was the victim of a very serious car accident. While she was crossing the street, a car was unable to stop in time. Fortunately, a neighbor was there to help Brown long enough for the ambulance to arrive to take her to the hospital.
“When I got to the hospital I was in intensive care for seven days,” Brown said. “I had a total of three surgeries.”
Brown’s surgeries were for her forehead, jaw and leg. Brown’s jaw was wired shut and she had to go on a liquid diet. She was in a wheelchair for two months and crutches for another two and was told she would never walk again.
“I had to relearn how to walk and talk normally,” Brown said. “Within four months, I was healed if not stronger than before. I am lucky to be alive.”
Despite the panic that came with the situation, Brown’s mother was able to get through it all due to her daughter’s positive spirit. She stayed by Brown’s side everyday until she was released.
“I said if she could be hopeful in this situation I can without a doubt stay strong,” Michelle Brown said.
Brown is participating in her second year on the track and field team as a shot putter and discus thrower.
“She is great and she is always laughing during practice,” senior teammate shot putter and discus thrower Janae Madden said. “She always supports the whole team.”
Brown has a personal best of 62 feet in discus and 26 feet in shot put. She believes she can only get better and plans on becoming stronger for next year’s season by working out in the weight room more often.
“I have gotten more personal records every meet in the scrimmages,” Brown said. “I hope to really improve now that the season has officially started.”
Last season the shot putters and discus throwers did not have official coaches and were relying on the current student throwers for instruction. Now that they have official coaches, Brown believes that their help has assisted her in perfecting her skills.
“She has been a team player in an individual sport and I think that is a testament to her character,” coach Mike Vartanian said. “She is very coach-able, she wants to learn, she wants to get better and it has been a great experience so far.”
After graduating from Costa, Brown hopes to attend University of Minnesota and wants to enter the freshman intern program for kinesiology, the scientific study of human development. She hopes to continue improving her skills as a thrower and is considering throwing in college.
“Being a thrower is great because of the opportunities and the people I have met,” Brown said. “I never stop pushing myself and fighting. Just find strength in what you love and let that motivate you.”
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