During any sports season, it’s not uncommon to see a student-athlete or two negotiating the DHS hallways and classrooms on crutches.

This fall, however, severe knee injuries, specifically ACL tears, have sidelined numerous student-athletes including five soccer players.

It starts with a jolting pop, then all at once a doctor is explaining what an anterior cruciate ligament injury is. The tear requires surgery, followed by painful and intense physical therapy anywhere from six to 12 months.

The injury can cause a devastating halt to an athlete’s season, and sometimes high school career, especially if it happens senior year.

Ian Shannon, senior and standout goalie of Danbury boys’ varsity soccer team, tore his ACL during a scrimmage shortly before the beginning of the fall season.

“I went to clear the ball away and I kicked it away with my right foot,” Shannon recalls. “It was an awkward pass back; as I planted, my leg gave out and my knee buckled and I heard a pop.”

Shannon considers himself in fine shape, and he’s using his sports training and mindset to help his recovery.

“It’s tough, it’s a lot of pain and a lot of small steps, but every small step you have is motivation to keep moving forward,” he said.

Hayden Turk, a sophomore and member of the varsity girl’s soccer team tore her ACL during preseason camp.

“The hardest part of my injury is having to watch my team play without me, and not being able to change the games like I could have if I were still able to play,” says Turk.

This devastating injury has put a halt to Turk’s soccer and track seasons, but surely with her ambitious mentality she’ll be back before you know it.

“I think what keeps me going is the encouraging words from close family and friends,” explained Turk.

A few kind words to a player with an injury can go a long way.

Athletic trainers Emily Renna and Richard Janey both conclude that there is no answer as to why there have been so many ACL injuries this fall.

“Two that had happened here at school were well conditioned and doing prevention. We have no idea why it’s happening,” says Renna.

Renna offers that the only thing left for athletes to do is train safely, including a regimen of hamstring- and quad-strengthening and proper form when lifting weights.