Britton-Hecla senior McKaelyn Zuehlke kept saying to herself, “I don’t want to be done.”
The standout volleyball and basketball player for the Lady Braves was going in for a fastbreak layup in summer league basketball last summer when her knee “just kind of buckled.” It didn’t stop her from heading to Nashville, TN, for the school’s music trip the next day, but she knew her senior athletic year was in jeopardy.
“I put on Jenna’s (Werner) big brace and made it around Nashville fine,” recalled Zuehlke. “But I had it checked out the next week when we got home and I had a torn ACL.”
Surgery followed and doctor’s said her rehab would likely take her through the end of the basketball season, forcing her to miss her final high school volleyball and basketball campaigns.
“I was pretty devastated, but I always kept remembering that it could be a lot worse,” Zuehlke said with tears coming to her eyes as she recalled her brother, Trevor, and his ongoing struggles after suffering a traumatic brain injury on the football field.
Team Number One When Zuehlke received the news about her injury, she made an almost immediate decision.
“Right away I decided that I wanted to still be a part of the team. I knew no matter what, I was going to go to all the practices and games. You just can’t quit. You have to stick it out and support the team. They were always there supporting me through everything I’ve gone through.”
That support wasn’t lost on B-H basketball coach Terry Nelson or volleyball coach Megan Ochsner.
“She could have just said, ‘I’m hurt and I’m not going to be there,’” noted Nelson. “And how many kids are going to show up for practice every day of the volleyball and basketball seasons, knowing that they will not be able to play The main thing is that she was so positive, and it was just an inspiration to see what she did for everybody. When she talked, people listened, because she was always around.”
Despite not being on the court, Ochsner said that Zuehlke’s senior leadership was still a key for her squad.
“In a situation like hers it’s hard to always come with a positive attitude and just watch, but McKaelyn is so positive and supportive of anybody she comes around,” said Ochsner. “She definitely has been a leader for us in the past and continued to be a leader for the team this past season, and she was always helping as much as she could. Not a lot of kids could do that.”
Ochsner also stressed that Zuehlke’s efforts did not go unnoticed by younger players.
Role Model
“She was a good role model, especially for the younger girls, showing them that when you are part of a team you should always show up and be held accountable for that,” said Ochsner. “I think that sends a really good message.”
Zuehlke’s positive attitude has also had an impact on long-time teammate and fellow senior Alyssa James.
“McKaelyn is always positive and is probably the best role model I’ve had in my life,” said James. “She’s the type of person that always looks at the cup as being half full, and I think she has had a bigger impact than she’ll ever know. It was not easy for her but she definitely did it better than anyone else could have.”
Having been a varsity player for most of her high school career, Zuehlke also played the role of an extra assistant coach.
“The way I knew I could contribute was to be a positive person on the bench,” said Zuehlke. “I have kind of known Coach Nelson my whole life, and he talks a little different than we do, so I could translate a little for the girls,” she said with a chuckle.”
“McKaelyn was like an assistant coach for sure,” added Ochsner. “If I needed a little extra advice or if she saw something on the court, she would tell me, and she was an extra set of eyes who knew what was happening on the court.”
Sports had always been Zuehlke’s outlet, and when that was no longer available, she turned to her rehab.
“Going to therapy was almost like an outlet for me. It was my way of playing in a sport because I could make myself better. And I think having a positive look on that helped get me through a lot of this process.”
Senior Highlights
Although she wasn’t a playing member of the Lady Braves squads her senior year, a couple of highlights stand out.
Near the end of the volleyball season, after a couple of younger team members planted a seed with Ochsner that maybe Zuehlke could take a turn serving in a match, the senior took full advantage of the opportunity, hitting 10-11 serves with five aces.
“I could not stop smiling, I was so happy,” recalled Zuehlke. “So many people came up to me and said it was good to see that smile back. Then towards the end of the basketball season I was cleared to do warm-ups and some drills in practice, and that really helped me want to push through and finish when times are hard. Even though it wasn’t anything big, being on the court with my team will be something I will always remember and be thankful for.”
At times it was also bittersweet. “I’ll also remember Senior Night and looking at the crowd and knowing that I wouldn’t get to play in front of the crowd that we are so lucky to have.”
Zuehlke is planning to wrap up her high school career on the track field this spring with hopes of throwing the shot put or doing some running if she gets her doctor’s clearance. This fall her plans include attending South Dakota State University and majoring in ag business. After doing an internship with Hurley & Associates she is leaning toward the grain marketing side of the ag business and hopes to return to the Britton area.
Impact On Future
But there is no doubt that her senior season will have an impact on her future.
“I have learned there is so much more to life than just sports. Even though I wasn’t able to play, I grew as a person and learned how to push through when things don’t necessarily go my way. There have been so many positives that have come out. I learned at a young age to focus on the positive and then the bad isn’t as bad. And just don’t give up.”
During what has been a difficult year, Zuehlke points to her brother, Trevor, and her faith, as her rocks.
“When I see how hard Trevor works every day, not working hard wasn’t an option for me. I remember the first time in rehab I couldn’t lift my leg and just kept thinking back to Trevor and how frustrating it must be for him. And God has been with me every step of the way.”
No, McKaelyn wasn’t done when that knee buckled last summer. She was just getting started in showing teammates, coaches, and fans alike what it truly means to be a member of a team and a role model for all to emulate.
