A hurdle approach is one of the first things that you learn in diving. Senior diver Haley McNamara described it as “simple.” But that simple move on a hurdle approach resulted in a devastating injury.
During her sophomore season as a diver at UCLA, McNamara was at a normal practice in the spring. She got on the board to do a hurdle approach and her left leg bent backwards. This injury was described by her coach Tom Stebbins as “freakish.”
The injury resulted in a torn ACL, LCL and PCL as well as a posterior tibial tendon dislocation and a tibial plateau fracture. She had a total of three different surgeries and spent three months on crutches. Yet seven months later she was back in the pool, and 11 months later she was bouncing on the boards again.
“It is honestly a miracle that she is diving today considering that so many people thought she would never be able to get back on the board because of her physical injuries. And the fact that she is doing as well as she is is just remarkable,” said freshman diver Danni Repper.
As physically impressive as her return to the pool was, McNamara found that her rehab was even tougher mentally.
“It is so hard to think about how helpless you are,” McNamara said.
She was not, however, helpless. Senior diver Paulina Guzman is the only member of the current team who was present at the time McNamara’s injury occurred.
Guzman was a great help to McNamara. She would bring her food after practice and drive her to the training room. Stebbins spoke about the bond between the two divers.
“Paulina went through something equally freakish and similar in that she broke the lower bones in her leg last fall,” Stebbins said. “(Paulina and Haley) are bonded by that and they have decided that they are going to find a way to be great again and come back. I think that strengthened both of their resolves in terms of how they approach this final year for both of them.”
McNamara has returned to diving for her senior season and has been named team captain. Coach Stebbins mentioned that as a result of her injury, she has a newfound appreciation for the daily process of the sport.
“She appreciates the day-to-day opportunity a little bit differently than kids who haven’t had severe injuries or haven’t had been forced to miss time,” Stebbins said.
McNamara’s role as a leader on the team is one that cannot be understated. Repper grew up in the same area as McNamara and has looked up to McNamara as an inspiration her whole life. She said she feels that McNamara has a strong leadership role on the team and is someone who should be admired.
“She has a strong impact (on the team) she brings energy and lightens the mood and (helps to) get us through the day,” Repper said.