Illinois State track and field athlete Lauren Maul will be out for the remainder of the 2004 indoor and outdoor seasons after tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in her right knee.
The injury occurred while Maul was taking part in the pentathlon at the Indiana Invite in Bloomington, Ind., on Feb. 6. Maul tore her MCL and ACL during the long jump portion of the event. Head coach Elvis Forde believes the injury is going to have an impact on the team, simply because of Mauls ability to compete and score points in multiple events.
Its one of those freaky things that happens in athletics like anything else in life, Forde said of the injury. They come at the least expected time. Lauren brings tremendous value to the team because she competes in the high jump, long jump, triple jump and hurdles and then comes back and runs the relays. I feel sad for her more than anything else.
Forde, however, is confident that Maul and the team will recover from this setback.
When life throws you a curve, you have to be prepared to straighten it out, Forde said. I hope Lauren remains positive and makes the best of the situation.
The Birds conclude the indoor portion of the season this Friday and Saturday when they take part in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.
