NCAA member Kassandra Nathe back with University of Nebraska’s (NU) Huskers after recovery
An untimely elbow injury forced NCAA’s Kassandra Nathe to sit out most of her junior year at the University of Nebraska, this year.
Nathe’s injured elbow went through a successful operation a little before the 2010-2011 season started. Subsequently, the Sartell native earned herself almost a year off gymnastics.
Unlike most injured athletes, Nathe is actually happier about the injury and has come to view it favourably, rather than calling it a loss of her time.
Most gymnasts, if in her position, would consider the gap a setback. For Nathe, however, the gap added to her gymnastics wisdom.
“At first I was upset and even more disappointed that I couldn't compete. But it was a great learning experience for me. I grew a lot and have more confidence this year,” the Husker said.
She also feels that the surgery inevitably did her more good than just fixing the injury. Apparently, she has emerged healthier on the other side of the operation theatre doors, than she was before the injury was incurred.
“It feels better than what it did before I got hurt,” she said. “I had problems up with it in the past so now that (the surgeons) tightened things up it's a lot better”.
Nathe joined her fellow Huskers in training during August this year. By November, the three-event specialist was seen competing with full fervour.
Dan Kendig, coach at University of Nebraska, was jovial at having one of her stars back and better than ever.
“She's been doing great. She did well in all the events and keeps getting stronger and stronger. We're pleased with where she's at right now,” Kendig said.
Last season saw Nathe bag a place on the All-Big 12 Championship when she scored 9.875 points on the balance beam. This was a career high score for Nathe, who set the record for herself on February 5, 2010 in competition against Oklahoma and TWU.
Huskers’ first intra-squad meet for the season took place at the Mabel Lee Hall on November 18, 2011, where Nathe placed second in the all-around.
After the meet, the gymnast reported that she did not feel like she was resuming gymnastics after any gap, let alone one that was quite as long as hers.
She is also looking forward to competing in the upcoming competitions. The next intra-squad meet for her team will be held at the Devaney Center, and is only nine days away.
On December 9, the Huskers will be pitched up against Iowa State for the first time since March of this year.
In preparation, Nathe and her teammates have made adjustments to the apparatus so that they are more inclined with the kind of stimulus that will be available to them at Devaney.
Nathe is “more excited than nervous” about the upcoming season since she was away from the sport for so long.
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