Junior Mary Janovich Back After Torn ACL in 2015-2016 Season

by Taylor Roby

Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 is a meaningless day to most. However, it particularly sticks out for junior basketball guard Mary Janovich.

During a drill in practice that day, Janovich got a steal and was going to the rim for a fast break layup, like she had done many times before. Except this time, as she planted on her right foot, Janovich felt something pop in her knee and went down to the ground.

“My first thought was ‘crap, my season is over,’ and I had tears coming down my face,” Janovich said. “Then once I had done my MRI and officially found out I tore my ACL, my mindset changed and I was sad for about a day and tried to be as positive as I could be after that!”

Janovich would have to sit the rest of the season out, beginning her road to recovery. She would also have to learn how to fit into a new role on the team.

Wanting nothing more than to be on the court, Janovich relied heavily on the love and support from both her teammates and the coaching staff. Shortly after her injury, coach Drew Olson called Janovich in for a meeting where together they figured out ways that she could still be involved and be a positive leader for the team.

“I had to figure out how to be a good teammate from the sidelines rather than on the court and that was a difficult thing for me to do,” Janovich said. “It taught me how to become a better leader, be more positive and to constantly lean on my teammates.”

“Mary has this confidence about her, and when you are on her team, you just know you’re going to win,” senior forward Aubri Bro said. “She has persevered through tough times and has shown so much desire to get back on the court.”

Mary Janovich is now back in action for the women’s basketball team this year. Despite her season-ending injury, she is excited to be back and is as confident as ever.

“It’s nice to have Mary back in a jersey again,” Bro said. “She’s a fun teammate to have around, she’s always cracking jokes, and knows how to make you smile!”

The Bulldogs are ranked third in the GPAC this year by league coaches. Despite a tough conference with four nationally ranked teams, the Bulldogs expect to hold their own and accomplish great things this season.

“My hopes and goals for this upcoming basketball season are sky-high,” Janovich said “I know the talent and depth we have as a team, and that just sets the bar high right there. This team, as a whole, has a lot of potential, and I am excited to see where we go this season.”