For athletes plagued by recurring injuries, even stepping on the field is an accomplishment worthy of praise.
Senior Priscila Hill has had multiple major injuries throughout her high school sports career that interrupted her junior year lacrosse season as well as her freshman, sophomore and senior year soccer seasons. Throughout her two meniscus tears and broken leg, Hill’s consistent positivity has been recognized and appreciated by those around her.
Hill said that each time she returned to playing, she would put in more effort than before, appreciating what she had previously taken for granted.
“After each injury, I try a lot harder, on the field in general, because it means more to me in the moments when I come back,” Hill said.
According to senior Elin Lindgren-Palm, who also plays varsity soccer and lacrosse, Hill has always persisted through her injuries.
“Priscila is one of the strongest people I know. No matter what injury she had, she was just so positive. I went to visit her when she broke her leg this most recent time, and she was just fine,” Lindgren-Palm said. “Obviously, she was hurting inside, but she put up such a positive front, and that’s really hard to do.”
Hill said that going back to playing games was mostly an exciting experience due to the length of time she missed with injury.
“I was more excited [to go back] because I spent so much time away, watching my teams go through wins and losses together. It makes you really want to get back, so there was never a doubt as to whether I was returning,” Hill said.
According to girls varsity soccer coach Ben Peters, Hill was just as determined and ready to play as before she got injured, unlike many other athletes who return from injury.
“When she comes back from these injuries, her character and the way she plays hasn’t changed a bit. Priscila was the same Priscila,” Peters said. “She would run as fast as she could, she would fight as hard as she could, her mentality never changed at all.”
Hill said that coming back from injuries, especially her broken leg, was mentally difficult for her, even if she was excited to be playing again.
“There was this mental block of anything could happen at any moment, and it could all be over again,” Hill said. “I overcame that mentality because that’s part of the game, injuries. I have learned how to keep it in the back of your mind but keep playing anyway.”
Peters said he felt bad that Hill had been injured so much because she’s dedicated to her team and exciting to coach.
“She’s so vibrant, so positive about everything. She just wants to be there for her friends and teammates and play these sports that she’s been playing her whole life, so when she’s playing, she’s so fun to watch,” Peters said.
Lindgren-Palm said that even when Hill wasn’t playing, she was constantly finding ways to support her teammates.
“For me, whenever she came to a game, it was like, ‘Thank God, she’s still here.’ She’s a good person to have around,” Lindgren-Palm said. “Everyone loves her, so having her on the sideline, even if she’s not playing, is just such a positive force.”
Peters said he thinks of Hill as an incredible role model for younger athletes struggling with injuries and that she has so much experience that could benefit others.
“She’s persevered through so much and stayed so positive through everything,” Peters said. “I’m so amazed at how she’s been able to persevere through all this, and she just keeps working and keeps coming back.”
