RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
On Tuesday, Extra Inning Softball published the list of those talented players named to the 2024 Extra Elite 100 rankings in the #’s 90-81 range.
One of those was Sydney Young, the junior infielder from West Virginia who was named 1st Team All-State after a great 2022 season for St. Albans High preceding a strong summer with the Georgia Impact – Sampson team.
The last few years, though, have been anything but easy for Sydney who began having hip pain two years ago which was diagnosed as a torn hip labrum. The ensuing surgery and recovery tested her resolve, but she’s obviously bounced back to be better than ever on the fields!
Still, at one point she faced the reality that she might not get to play again the sport she loves so much. Sydney says: “I had a choice to make (regarding rehab and coming back): do it or not. My ultimate decision: I wanted it!”
Here is the athlete’s inspiring story told in her own words for Extra Inning Softball…
*****
It was August 2020, and I was so excited to start my freshman year at Saint Albans High School in West Virginia.
We had started playing softball scrimmage games and I began experiencing some right groin pain. I thought I had just pulled a muscle, but the pain persisted, and it would feel stuck which limited my range of motion.
Very soon, the pain became constant and, despite physical therapy, I could not lift my leg off the ground. My amazing doctor momma was able to contact one of her orthopedic friends who helped arrange an MRI that week, and we found out I had a torn hip labrum.
I went to see the hip specialist the next morning and was given an injection into my hip joint under ultrasound. That was painful! The doctor felt this could give me fairly immediate relief and we could see how long it lasted. Within 24 hours, I felt like a new person and I was so excited I could move my leg with no pain! I am forever thankful that we tried that injection because it allowed me to compete with my travel team all fall.
By the end of the fall season, however, that shot had definitely worn off. I would hit the ball off the fence and just barely make it to first base before getting a pinch runner. On our way home from the Thunderbolt Showcase in November 2020, we stopped in Nashville as my mom had done research and made arrangements for me to see Dr. Thomas Byrd at the Nashville Hip Institute.
After scans, more scans, a physical therapy evaluation, and a return visit back to the surgeon, we concluded that this hip labrum needed a surgical repair. If it was my choice, I would have tried to play through the pain, but I am thankful for my parents and doctors who had my best interest in mind.
Dr. Byrd told me he felt I would do well, but he couldn’t guarantee that I would be able to play the sport I love again. That was a hard pill to swallow, but I had to trust the process and believe that God was going to do amazing things through my journey.
Once I knew surgery was the plan, I wanted it immediately so I could get back on the field. The surgeon told me the general recovery time would be around six months to be able to put cleats on again and slowly work into full play, as long as everything went as planned.
I was placed on a waitlist for surgery, and I was devastated. Dr. Byrd is known to be one of the best hip surgeons in the country and the surgeon for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Making things worse, it was the holidays, and everything was backed up and affected by the COVID pandemic.
Dr. Byrd told us that he did not have any openings until February 2021, and I was angry with God and did not understand why this had to happen to me.
We were in constant conversation with the surgical office and they messaged my momma on Jan 6th saying they had a surgery date for Jan 11, 2021. I will never forget how happy and—though scared!—I felt at that moment.
I had all the possible negative thoughts running through my head; however, I was blessed with the best surgeon and support staff and everything went more smoothly than I could have imagined. The ride home from Tennessee to West Virginia, however, was long and miserable.
I spent a majority of my time in a recliner and watched every single WCWS championship game there is on YouTube, over and over. Trust me, I watched them all!
My mom would take me to the gym whenever I wanted to go just so I could be there and do my exercises. My dad would make me amazing breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to make sure I was getting the nutrition I needed.
Three days post-op, I started physical therapy with Jamie Tridico at Advanced PT in my hometown, Charleston, West Virginia. She worked closely with my medical team in Nashville so I could complete my treatment close to home. I would not be where I am today without her pushing me, but also reminding me of my limits.
Another slight twist to all of this was my caretaker plans once we got home. My mom has a private practice and needed to return to her office to take care of her patients. My dad was working from home, but let’s get real—he was not who I wanted to help me get dressed and get cleaned up! And my 11-year-old brother, Preston, was oblivious!
My Nana was planning to come over during the day and help… however, the night before my surgery, she fell down the steps and shattered her ankle. What a mess! My grandparents moved in with us, my Nana had surgery three weeks later, and we all somehow recovered together! Our house was set up like an assisted living facility!
During my recovery, my high school team was practicing and playing. This was emotionally hard for me because I had so many goals to accomplish my freshman year. Many days I did not think I would see another “normal” day. I was in the gym or physical therapy clinic every day and had to learn to walk again after a full month on crutches and that was so weird!
After a few more trips to Nashville and less than four months post-op, Dr. Byrd released me to start slowly working into practice and games. My goal was to shock them—the medical staff— with my progress and I think I did just that. They were super impressed with my strength and range of motion and told me they could not think of a reason I needed to come back unless I had any concerns.
I admit, I was sad leaving there that day as everyone had been so kind and I was extremely grateful for all they had done for me. I got back home to West Virginia, put on my full uniform for the next high school game and was ready to play all seven innings.
My body, however, said otherwise. I was so disappointed when my leg would get tired so quickly. However, my dad always reminded me it was a process. I kept reminding myself of that and refused to give up.
I continued going to the gym and doing my therapy exercises. I was able to get into the starting lineup and I will never forget that feeling when I got my first high school hit! My high school team made it to the state tournament for the first time in 11 years and finished runner-up.
That night, my dad and I jumped in the car and drove straight to Scenic City to start my summer 2021 travel season with Unity 14U-Johnson. I admittedly was not 100 percent and many people doubted that I could catch back up and return to playing at a high level. That only fueled my passion for the game and my desire to reach my dreams.
I helped my team win USA Nationals in Tennessee that summer (2021) and then my team merged and we were able to win PGF Nationals in California with Unity 14U-Johnson/Ross.
Funny side note: when I was coming out of anesthesia post-op, my amazing nurse David apparently kept telling me I was a “champion.” I sent so many people messages that evening that I was a “champion” and my mom has it on video. I have no recollection of this, but little did I know I would win two national championships that summer after surgery!
The journey, however, was definitely not easy.
Last summer I was not where I wanted to be, but I gave it my all and kept working. I had a choice to make (regarding rehab and coming back): do it or not. My ultimate decision: I wanted it!
God taught me a lot through that setback. I learned so much about patience, dedication, friendship, and most importantly, that He was there with me along the way. I am forever thankful for my “situation” because I know that I can overcome any obstacle thrown my way.
I learned to drown out the doubt and negativity and truly appreciate those in my corner. Every time I step on the field, I give it my all because I realize how fast it could be taken away from me.
I had a great high school season this past spring (2022), made 1st team All-State as a sophomore and helped my high school team make it back to the state tournament.
Summer travel was starting, and my original travel ball team was going in a different direction. God blessed me again as He opened up an amazing opportunity for me with Georgia Impact 16U-Sampson and I am so excited to be a part of this great program.
Everyone has been so encouraging and welcoming and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!
I hope I am able to inspire others to keep fighting, keep believing, and never let any situation or any person steal their passion. Setbacks are hard. Change is hard. Sometimes, though, the rough times in our life put us in a direct path to the very best times in our life.
— Sydney Young, August 2022