by Hugh Kellenberger
Staff Writer
Two of Appalachian State University’s rising soccer standouts
were seriously injured in an auto accident February 28.
Todd King and Lindsey Talley, freshmen members of the ASU soccer
teams, were traveling north on U.S. 421 near Yadkinville when the
car they were traveling in hit a patch of black ice and subsequently
ran into a guardrail. King’s sister, Tiffany, was driving
the car. Talley was in the front passenger seat and Todd in the
back of the vehicle.
The three were taken to the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical
Center. Todd was admitted for a pelvis broken in five different
places. Talley suffered a broken elbow and right femur, as well
as a pelvis broken in three different places.
Todd was released March 7, Talley on March 12.
King is now recuperating at his parents’ home in Huntersville,
N.C. and Talley is at her mother’s home in Cordova, Tenn.
Neither will return to campus this semester.
Talley played in 18 games as a freshman, starting 17. She scored
two goals, including a game-winner against Elon University.
“Last year she was a starter and a key player,” ASU
women’s soccer coach Ben Popoola said.
Talley was expected to move to center-midfielder next season.
“Essentially, [center-midfielder] is like a quarterback in
football,” Popoola said.
Talley was a forward during 2003.
King, a midfielder, played in nine games last fall and started in
four. He took four shots but did not register a goal or assist during
the 2003 campaign.
“He definitely had a role this year,” ASU men’s
soccer coach Paul Stahlschmidt said. “We’re missing
him right now.”
ASU head athletic trainer Jim Shorten said the recovery time for
a broken pelvis is typically six to eight weeks. Talley’s
femur will have time to heal while she is immobilized because of
the broken pelvis.
After their injuries have healed, the two will undergo rehabilitation
to relearn their running patterns, Shorten said.
“Recovery is still a long way off,” Shorten said. “This
fall is still somewhat doubtful.”
Shorten said he expects a great deal of muscular atrophy.
“Once they get back on the field, [the athletic training staff]
will make sure they don’t have any muscle imbalances,”
Shorten said.
Stahlschmidt has not taken King out of the team’s 2004 plans.
“It’s not ruled out that he isn’t going to have
a role,” Stahlschmidt said. “Hopefully he will return
to school as soon as possible.”
Popoola said he is looking toward having Talley back on the team
this fall, even if she is not on the field.
“We’re praying that she will recover well, be a student
first and maybe get back into athletics,” Popoola said.
“We’re just happy both of them are alive.”
|
