Arundel High School senior Ayanna Randolph works out at Athletic Performance Inc. in Millersville last week. Randolph overcame a serious knee injury and with the help of API, will play Division I basketball at Furman University next year.
Ayanna Randolph had to sit out her senior season at Arundel High School because of a knee injury but still took part in Senior Night at the Gambrills school.
High School senior Ayanna Randolph doesn't like to think about last summer.
That's when the speedy point guard tore the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a pick-up basketball game. In the blink of an eye, her highly-anticipated senior year, her college basketball future and her overall health came into question.
"A sad few months followed," said Randolph, who averaged 7.9 points, 5.1 assists and three steals per game for Arundel in the 2006-07 season. "When I learned that I may not be able to play for Arundel during my senior year -- it was kind of devastating. But I was glad that my future was set."
Luckily for Randolph, she signed to play Division I basketball at Furman University on a full athletic scholarship before the injury. But a youthful Wildcats squad was going to look to her to lead the team back to the Class 4A state tournament. Doctors told Randolph that a comeback during her final prep season would be very unlikely due to the extended rehabilitation required for the injury.
"When we found out, it was a heart-breaker for all of us," said
Athletic Performance Inc. trainer Kristen Jakubac, who had worked out with Randolph regularly before the injury.
Helping athletes of all ages come back from serious injuries like a blown-out ACL is nothing new to the staff at API, which is located in Millersville. One of the main goals for the trainers is to improve an athlete's performance in order to prevent common sports related injuries. By determining the strengths and weaknesses of an athlete, a training program is devised to enhance performance and correct imbalances and deficiencies which may lead to injury.
"There was a little sense of urgency in Ayanna's case because she was going to play college basketball," Jakubac said. "After talking with her doctors and (physical therapy) trainers, we had to assess how far she's come and really take it from there.
"We knew that she was leaving for college very soon. Therefore, we wanted her leaving in good hands. Her strength build-up has been amazing."
Since her injury, Randolph worked out up to three times a week at API and even participated in some yoga classes to complement her comeback.
"API played a major role in my comeback," said Randolph, a four-year varsity player, who was one of 34 players from Maryland to be nominated as a McDonald's All-American this past winter.
"There was six months after the injury where I couldn't do anything but rest because of the surgery. I think I gained about 25 pounds. After coming to API, we really looked at my body-fat percentage and I was able to tone everything and build my muscles back up."
Randolph leaves for Furman on June 9 and she said she is fully healed and ready to compete on the court again. Sam Dixon, the Lady Paladins coach, likes to play 10 players a game and the squad is graduating two senior guards, which could open the door for Randolph.
"I'm really excited," said Randolph, who was the senior class president at Arundel and maintained a 4.0 grade-point average. "I just can't wait to go to college, begin taking classes and start that chapter of my life."
On senior night, Wildcats' coach Lee Rogers decided to start Randolph but only in a limited role. She took two technical foul shots and then exited the game to a standing ovation.
"What Ayanna has overcome this season has really inspired her teammates," Rogers said during last basketball season. "Even though she was hurt, she never missed one practice or game. She was an assistant coach and helped out the younger girls."
Sophomore Talon Watson was inserted into Randolph's spot as the primary ball-handler. During games, Randolph had a strong presence on the bench and was always there to answer questions from Watson, an emerging talent in the county.
But after the Wildcats'
run to the state championship and all the news surrounding girls basketball started to settle, it was back to API for Randolph.
"The only thing that can get in the way of me succeeding is myself," Randolph said. "I've always had a lot of goals and I always push hard to achieve them. Working out and getting my strength back was just the first step."
Said Jakubac: "Ayanna did sit out her senior year but it's a great story because of what she was able to accomplish. She's going to be a Division I college athlete and we couldn't be more proud of her."
For more information about API and what it can do for you, visit the official
website or call (410) 987-4728.