Wagner faces new leadership opportunity with season-ending injury
Photo submitted by Delaney Wagner
Senior Delaney Wagner takes pictures in her new college uniform after signing with The University of Wisconsin-River Falls. After three years of playing at the varsity level for the ponies she will play college basketball at the division III level starting next fall.
It is late Sunday night when senior Delaney Wagner finishes up her homework and starts packing up her basketball bag for tomorrows tryouts. After a runner up finish at state a year ago, Wagner, elected a captain for this year’s team is anxious to get the season officially underway.
After announcing her commitment to play Division three basketball at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a weight “fell off her chest to let her just focus on leading the team to a successful year just like years prior,” she said.
The next afternoon, after a busy day of school, Wagner laced up her shoes and hit the court with what could be her new teammates. She was leading her group of girls for a 5 on 5 scrimmage when she got doubled team on an inbound play. Trying to escape the trap, she pivoted with her left foot, and her knee rotated into an unpleasant position.
A late night in the ER resulted in some unpleasant news to go along with the jolting pain in her knee: Torn ACL – out for the whole season.
Numbing the pain
“I was really shocked by it,” Wagner commented on finding out about the news. “It was more crushing than anything, not being able to play my senior year.”
Her season came to a close five months before the rest of the teams would, but this has not stopped Wagner from supporting her teammates at all the practices and the games.
“Her injury is really showing how she can be a leader on and off the court. She’s so encouraging and has a super positive mindset for what just happened to her,” senior Mary Fultz said, who is another captain of the team. “She’s still there, her energy and everything, and brings it all to the team which really helps.”
The Ponies are currently ranked 5th in the class 4A standings and have been able to find success so far even with Wagner’s absence. With many returning key players, the team also reloaded its squad with new faces. The new players, who are unfamiliar with the junior varsity and varsity level of play find Wagner to be a helpful coach with the transition to a higher level of play.
“Delaney helps me with learning all the new plays with an encouraging and supportive mindset,” junior Megan Cuta said, who is a shooting guard on the JV team. “She lets us know to improve our skills and likes to work with us.”
For Wagner, helping her teammates on the sideline has eased a lot of the pain and stress following the injury. She said it has been a new experience for her that allows her to view the game in a different way.
A healthier future
Although she will be out for the remainder of this season, Wagner will be able to continue her basketball career next winter at the collegiate level with her recent signing to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“She’s such a great player and will play amazing in college. I hate to see her not be able to play this season but am really glad she’s playing in college so she can continue the sport,” Fultz added.
As far as the team’s success, the Ponies have begun the season in a nicely fashion. After appearing in the state tournament last year for the first time in over 30 years, the team has continued their winning ways onto this season.
Wagner said a big goal for this years team is “to make it back to the state tournament and even the state championship game again,” and with her off the court leadership abilities at a new high, this goal is in close reach.
Junior Charlie Valerius chose newspaper because of his passion to write. His hobbies include hanging out with his brothers, hammocking, and working out...
Rachel Duerr • Feb 4, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Very nice story, Charlie! Loved reading the teammates perspectives, quite interesting to hear how they look at her as a role model. The lead and fact paragraphs were very fun to read. It’s cool how you showed the not so glamorous side of sports but in a cool way that was inspiring.
Maria Supan • Feb 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm
I loved the story! This article was very clear and to the point. Even though it was very flowy, the story could have gone a little bit more in-depth about how or what happened when she tore her ACL. However, it was a very well done paper! Good Job!!!
Sandra Liu • Feb 2, 2020 at 2:40 pm
This was a great article! You did a wonderful job of transporting the reader onto the court as you described exactly what happened at the time of Delaney’s injury. This was very engaging, and it was also really nice how you were able to touch on the positive impact that Delaney is having despite her injury.
Anastasia Bertsch • Jan 30, 2020 at 9:17 am
I love how wrote it using lots of imagery, it sets a scene for the rest of the story. You did a really good job of telling the story and keeping it interesting the whole time.
Fiona Stahl • Jan 25, 2020 at 9:38 pm
After writing a story on another commit and teammate of Wagner’s, it was beneficial being able to compare it to a similar story. I feel like typically you do not see much dialogue in articles, so I found it interesting the way you were able to incorporate that into the story. It is also heartwarming to hear from other teammates on how Wagner has impacted their experience on the team.
Allison Benning • Jan 25, 2020 at 9:24 am
I loved the imagery in the beginning. It really made me feel like I was almost “there”. I also thought you conveyed Delaney’s personality really well too with your use of facts and quotes. I also enjoyed how you included facts about the basketball team as well, and used quotes from players on both JV and varsity. Nice job!
Alex Steil • Jan 24, 2020 at 3:50 pm
I really enjoy this story Haley; great job! I do think, however, it could have gone a little more in-depth as it relates to either how Wagner’s coping with the ACL, or how she’s moving forward. Again, suggestions for next time, these are not meant to be dings on the article.
Mairin Torgerson • Jan 23, 2020 at 3:38 pm
This article had facts about the current basketball season which was helpful as a reader. It also demonstrated how Delaney stepped up as a leader and was able to still be a part of the team. There were quotes that really added to the story and it was also very easy to read. Overall, super good article!
Paige Sanders • Jan 22, 2020 at 10:44 am
I really like the drop-in lead used in the story. It is an effective way to get the reader engaged and intrigued in reading the story. In addition, the story focused on not only Delaney’s injury and the negative side, but it touched on her commitment and achievements which makes the story more engaging. Great job, Charlie!
Mia Lucido • Jan 21, 2020 at 3:48 pm
This article is great! You showed how Delaney’s teammates see her as a role model and how she helps the newer players. It’s great Delaney can make an impact on the teams even though she can’t play this season.