Nelson doesn t let injury get the best of him
Sports reporter
Casey Nelson graduated Sunday from high school.
So did 47 other Marion High School students and millions across the world.
But not long ago there was the chance he wouldn't.
A star athlete at MHS, Casey also was an honor student and liked by many of his peers.
He had finished up a football season in the fall that included more than 1,100 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. In the winter during wrestling season he became the school's all-time wins leader and earned a trip to the state tournament.
This spring he was supposed to go back to the track state meet and compete for a state pole-vaulting championship.
Then it happened.
While practicing for the event before the season started, Nelson landed awkwardly on the end of the mat. His head smacked concrete near the mat.
As EMS crews rushed to get Casey in an ambulance and to a hospital, the senior, as he was told, became combative toward them, obviously not knowing what was going on.
That would prove to be the hardest part of the situation: not knowing what was going on.
Family and friends
As Casey sat in a Wichita hospital the uncertainty filled the room thick as smoke, as classmates and relatives visited the athlete.
Casey, who doesn't remember anything from the entire week it happened, was grateful for his visitors.
"I don't know all the support I got," he said. "But I know there were a lot of people hoping I was OK."
That's actually what bothered him the most. The headaches were bad, and the pain of finally realizing what happened was worse. But more than anything, Casey hurt for his family.
"The only pain that got to me was seeing what it did to friends and family," he said while watching pole vaulters Friday at regionals.
Now, knowing the injury didn't claim his life, his family's emotions have taken a different turn from the first week after the injury.
"Every time I see my dad he tells me I'm a walking miracle," Casey said.
While that may be true, anyone who knows Casey isn't surprised he pulled through.
"He is one of the most determined young men you will ever meet," his football coach Grant Thierolf said.
Feeling like himself
After the injury there was a lot of talk around town of how Casey was doing. Reports ranged from him stuck in bed, to him walking around like nothing was wrong.
Casey couldn't really tell you what happened in the hospital.
"I don't want to remember," he said.
Unfortunately, however, he knows it happened. At times, especially while watching the regional track meet this past week at home, it hurts.
"It's hard to be out here watching, especially when you know you could be winning," he said. "But it's good to be alive."
That is the consensus from most people who know him.
MHS activities director Tod Gordon was glad to see him speaking Monday at the Marion Middle School banquet.
"That was kind of emotional," Gordon said. "He did a nice job."
In the beginning stages after the injury Gordon said there were a lot of question marks.
"All kinds of things from a small concussion to something worse went through your head," he said. "It was a tough time, but everyday got a little bit better."
According to Casey it's still getting better each day.
"Just as of the past week I feel like me again," he said.
That means his return to school was hard at first, even though he was physically ready to go back.
"I didn't have fun at school at first," he said. "There was so much going through my mind."
Eventually with the support of teachers and classmates Casey began to enjoy school again, and finally walk on the stage as salutatorian to receive his diploma.
"The first thought was I was mad I wasn't going to be able to [play sports] again," he said. "But now, I'm just happy to be alive."
There is a chance he could be reevaluated in 12-18 months, and be cleared to participate in some sports, but Casey said it's possible his sports career is over. He will continue to lift weights, and run, and use something much more important than any muscle in his body as he attends Kansas State University this fall.
"I may have hurt my head, but I didn't lose my intelligence," he said. "It hurts not to be able to go into college for sports but I'm capable of pursuing a career in what I want to do."
