Being now an alumni of Thornapple Kellogg, it always has became a tradition to relive memories around the old stopping grounds of Middleville. Homecoming is a big deal filled with a main street parade, tailgating with family and friends, and Friday night football. This year of football got a new coach with new expectations. A close mentor and teacher Jeff Dock took over the football team with hopes of changing the team dynamics. I admire him for always taking a challenge and going head strong into them. Since in Michigan, the first day of fall was a high of 90 degrees, shorts and a tank top became an essential for the heat. I wore a simple orange tank top/crop top that I bought from a local consignment store in Grand Rapids and white boardwalk pull-on shorts from J.Crew Factory. These shorts are very comfortable and versatile to wear. My tank top was long enough to not show off my stomach but covered the hemp of the shorts. I accessorized with a J.Crew Factory layered circle necklace, my Relic watch, a pearl bracelet and a couple Pandora rings.
Unfortunately Friday morning, in a simple soccer drill, I rolled over the ball, heard a "pop" and down I went clutching my ankle. As being a soccer player, my ankles have always been an issue but this time was different. My ankle swelled up like a baseball ball instantly as Matt (our trainer at Aquinas) quickly made me ice my ankle. I have honestly never seen my ankle get a large as it did. Matt quickly went back to the athletic training room (that was across campus) to grab a walking boot and crutches to stabilize the ankle and be my transportation for the next couple of days. Three days later, there is still swelling in my ankle but hopefully can get X-rays by today or within the week.
Homecoming at Aquinas was over this weekend as well. Since we don't have a football team, many fellow alumni, current students and teachers come out to the soccer games on Saturday while enjoying the beer tent and other activities around campus. As I stated before the temperatures were near high 90's which meant on the turf was ten degrees hotter. Our game was originally suppose to be at noon but the heat index was low 100's so we had to make a quick decision to delay both the men's and women's games to later in the evening. Our game got delayed till five in the afternoon, when we arrived the field was still in the high 90's and we delayed it for thirty more minutes. We finally had our game and lost 1-0 to the third ranked team in the NAIA. It was difficult to sit on the sidelines but it was awesome to see other teammates step up to the plate when time was needed.
This homecoming was definitely one for the books as I have never hated crutches this much in my life. The ankle is still on the mend as there is still some swelling but I still may need X-rays. I hope everyone's upcoming week into October goes great!
