Despite Injury, Gibney Doesn't Quit

Jenna Gibney looks like any other 18-year-old senior walking down the hallway at DePaul Catholic High School.

Look deeper.

Gibney hasn’t played in a game in more than seven months, quite a difficult task for someone who played on the Under 17 National Team at one point.

“It’s made me a stronger person,” Gibney said.  “It’s been a humbling experience and really hard not being able to do the one thing in life I love.”

Gibney has torn her ACL twice, the first time on her 16th birthday. She partially tore it again some months later. She works out everyday, slowly regaining her feel for the game she loves so much. Perseverance is a necessary part of the recuperating process.

“I’ve learned not to give up,” Gibney said. “All you want to do is go out and play, but that doesn’t happen. You have to take baby steps to get to the point where you were before you were hurt.”

Frustration is also part of the process. It is also part of the learning process.

“It takes about a year to come back,” Gibney said. “The last 10 percent of the recovery process, that’s the most difficult part. Every time you step onto the field you’re getting a little bit of your speed back. You’re moving faster and getting quicker.”

In addition to being a Spartan, Gibney is a member of the Montclair Thunderbolts, a club team.

Gibney has never felt sorry for herself. She will attend Colgate University on a full athletic scholarship.

“Getting injured is just a part of playing sports,” Gibney said. “For me, getting injured has showed me who I truly am. I have matured because of soccer and getting hurt. The process has showed me how I should act on and off the field.”