Injuries strike people at some of the worst times in their lives, it can make or break a person’s future depending on your life. The injury Mary Korlin-Downs suffered was exactly that; Korlin-Downs is an extremely talented gymnast that has participated in Junior Olympic Gymnastics since she was seven years old. Mary is ranked as a level ten gymnast, and competes at Perpetual Motion. About a month ago, Korlin-Downs tore her ACL and had reconstructive surgery on the ligament.

Korlin-Downs, a senior at Stillwater, said, “I’ve been doing gymnastics for 10 years now, so I don’t think I could stop!” Then added, “I’ll compete next season and then hopefully compete for a college gymnastics team.” She doesn’t want to give up a sport just because of an injury.

The doctors told Korlin-Downs that she would be looking at a nine month recovery period before she can compete in gymnastics again. She has been attending physical therapy daily, and will continue to until she is completely healthy. She is shooting for about a four or five month recovery and is staying optimistic about her gymnastics career.

Korlin-Downs doesn’t compete in school gymnastics, she competes in a club league for girls separated by ages. She excels in her vault and is also very talented in the beam and floor sections. She placed second in regionals for vault and third for floor.

Even before starting gymnastics at the age of six, Korlin-Downs would spend time watching gymnasts at the University of Minnesota. When asking her if she considered giving up gymnastics because of the injury, she said, “No, it has been a big safe haven and almost a second home for me, giving up now did not seem to be an option to me.” Korlin-Downs fought a elbow condition for two years that kept her out of the sport, but nothing as big as an ACL tear.

Korlin-Downs said, “Going to college for gymnastics is a big deal for me, and I really plan on making it work.”

She has a great amount of determination to be great in gymnastics and to reach her full potential.