KRISTEN BOWMAN HAS HER SIGHTS SET ON A RETURN TO THE LACROSSE FIELD

In a split second last March, Kristen Bowman’s life was turned upside down.  The energetic 17 year old Ardrey Kell High School student tripped over an opponent’s planted lacrosse stick and dislocated her right knee.  The pain remained hidden for a few moments and Kristen climbed back to her feet to score a goal for the Knights.

After the daughter of Tom and Debbie Bowman scored the goal, the pain attacked her knee and she collapsed to the ground.  Her brother came running onto the field to help Kristen to the sidelines. Next up was a doctor’s visit and a diagnosis of a dislocated right knee.   Dr. D'Alessandro, a well know Orthopedic Doctor with OrthoCarolina advised Kristen that she could continue to play, but the knee would not fix itself. He wanted Kristen to go ahead and have the surgery.  Kristen was determined to get back on the field with her teammates and attempted to rehabilitate the knee. 

Kristen struggled to reach the performance level she needed to return to action for Ardrey Kell.  The season would end with Kristen playing in just nine games.  Despite only playing in nine games, the dynamic lacrosse player led the Knights in goals scored.  She was also awarded with a very special Academic All American Award at the end of the season.

“I was crushed to not be able to get back on the field with my team,” Kristen said. “The year was going great, I was playing well and then it was all over with the injury.  I had so many things planned out for the summer, I was contacting college coaches and then it came to an end. It was very disappointing.”

Fast forward four months to July 16th.  During a scheduled visit to Dr. D'Alessandro, Kristen quietly listened to the words of her doctor.  “It’s time to have the surgery and we are doing it at 8am tomorrow.”

There was little time to soak in the doctors words before Kristen checked into the hospital for the surgery.  The surgery shifted the bump below her knee to the left. It is called a Fulkerson Osteomoty with lateral release and medial placation.  The surgery tightened the medial patellofemoral ligament (the ligament that holds the kneecap in place) and lateral release- cut the soft tissue on the outside of her knee that was pulling her kneecap outward.
 
Complications from the surgery led to a 3 night stay in the hospital followed by three weeks of not being able to leave the bed or couch.

Three weeks after the surgery, Kristen was able to begin therapy on the knee.  She can’t put weight on the knee just yet, but is now on a stationary bike and performing small leg presses.  Her rehabilitation consists of six days a week with Ardrey Kell Head Trainer Margaret Lynch.

Kristen’s next goal is to walk and then run.  Beyond that short term goal, Kristen is very determined to return to the same level of play before the injury.  She wants to once again earn all-conference honors and lead the Knights to more wins this spring.

“I am going to work so hard to get back to where I was last year,” Kristen said.  “Lacrosse is my life, everything I do is related to lacrosse, and I am going to do whatever it takes to get back on that field. This injury has taught me to not take life for granted and to work hard and appreciate what you have been given.”

Sitting back in our interview Kristen had a few moments to reflect on the last 2 months and asked if she could thank a few people for their support. 

“I want to thank Ms. Lynch, Dr. D'Alessandro and his assistant Steven, my teammates, my boyfriend Zico and my family for all their support and help in getting me through some very rough times.”

With school back underway, Kristen is busy in rehabilitation. She is also turning her focus back onto the future.  With only 9 games in her junior season and no summer or fall lacrosse, the college coaches have had very little opportunity to evaluate her play.  Kristen intends to choose a college that offers both a Lacrosse Club and a Varsity Lacrosse Team.  After a year of play, she hopes to be able to move up to the Varsity Squad. She is applying to Georgia, South Carolina, NC State, Elon and Appalachian State.

Each of those universities would be honored to have a student-athlete like Kristen.  In addition to her commitment to lacrosse, Kristen carries a 4.0 grade point average.  She is also President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Editor of the yearbook, a member of DECA and The National Honor Society.

Her knee may be injured right now, but even those metal crutches with the purple pads carrying the # 17 of her boyfriend, Ardrey Kell football sensation Zico Pasut, can’t slow this athlete down or keep her from reaching her goals.

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Kristen Bowman for never giving up on her goals and staying strong in her determination to return to the lacrosse field.   Sometime this spring Kristen will put the Knights Lacrosse jersey back on and her teammates and friends will all be there to enjoy the very special moment.   Good Luck Kristen, we are pulling for you!