Senior Spotlight: Kennedy Craig, Eastside
Eastside senior Kennedy Craig was originally projected to miss her entire senior season with a torn ACL and meniscus she suffered seven months ago. Through determination and hard work in physical therapy, Craig defied the odds and returned to the pitch on April 24 against Byrnes. (PHOTO | ALLISON KNOX)
Kennedy Craig is a senior forward/midfielder for the Eastside Lady Eagles soccer team. Less than six months ago, Craig obtained a torn ACL and torn meniscus that doctors believed would keep her out for the entirety of her senior season.
“When she first got this injury, she was pretty much given no chance of making it back in time to play soccer,” said Eastside head coach and Kennedy’s father, David Craig. “Once she heard that, it was on. It was a challenge for her. She wanted to get back out here and play.”
Kennedy’s determination paid off. After surgery, she put in the work in physical therapy to get back on the pitch. She returned to the soccer field on April 24 for Eastside’s game against Byrnes, just under seven months after her injuries. Kennedy tallied two assists in her first game back, in just under 40 minutes of action.
Greer Sports Star caught up with Kennedy after the match to discuss her recovery and the excitement of finally returning to the pitch.
Greer Sports Star (GSS): First off, congratulations on making your return tonight. For those unfamiliar with your story, talk a little about how you were injured and the extent of your injuries.
Kennedy Craig (KC): So, I was actually playing powderpuff on the school field in one of our Spirit Week events, and a girl ran into me. It was a total accident, but I ended up tearing my ACL and meniscus, along with some other ligaments in my knee. I was also in swim season for Eastside at the time, so I didn't get to finish my senior swim season. I also missed my senior season of club soccer.
GSS: Did you know as soon as it happened that something was seriously wrong?
KC: Right away. As soon as I fell and hit the ground, I was in immense pain. Thankfully, I had friends there to comfort me.
GSS: What was the original prognosis for your return? Did you think you’d make it back onto the soccer field for Eastside this year?
KC: They pretty much told me the absolute best-case scenario was that I could be back by early-to-middle May, which would be right before or during the playoffs. Realistically, I think July was what I was looking at for a return.
GSS: How did you manage to get back on the pitch so much earlier than was originally expected?
KC: I went to physical therapy two days a week, and I would always try my absolute best. There were so many tough days. It's a really big mental thing, rather than physical, asking yourself if your knees are gonna be okay. It's just a huge mental toll it takes on you. It took a while to get back to running, and every step in the process was a really big challenge. But I'm really glad that the Lord put me through it, because I think I became a much stronger person at the end of it. I was just so ready to get back out there.
Craig tallied two assists against Byrnes in her first game since her injury. Eastside cruised to a 6-1 win. (PHOTO | ALLISON KNOX)
GSS: How was it being back out there tonight? Is it difficult to get reacclimated to the speed of the game?
KC: It felt amazing. I will say, for the first minute or so, I was really nervous. This is the same field where I suffered my injury to begin with. So that was nerve-wracking. But it was great being able to play again. And another one of our teammates, Maryn Holmes, she just tore her ACL a few weeks ago. I know she would do anything to be on this field. So, being able to play again, I wanted to play for her. I felt fine for like the 40 minutes I played, but there were still some things that I messed up for sure. It will be a process to get back to where I fully want to be.
GSS: You have helped lead Eastside to back-to-back state championships. As your senior season winds down, how much is a three-peat at the forefront of your mind?
KC: Right now, we’re trying to focus on the moment and finish our region play strong. But it’s definitely a thought in the back of our minds. It's our goal. I think we can do it because we are such a hard-working team. We’re a family. There are a lot of good teams in the upper state and lower state this year, but with the way we’ve been playing, I think there’s a good chance we can achieve a state title again.