TicketsApril 8, 2011
By Tiffany George
GoBEARCATS.com
Brian Zimmerman came into his college career like any other athlete. He had high hopes of winning at least one BIG EAST Championship in the javelin, participating in the national meet, and hopefully winning a national championship. He never knew that in a matter of two years, his outlook would drastically change.
"Getting injured is probably the absolute worst thing that can happen to you as an athlete," he said.
Zimmerman knows that feeling all too well. He missed the 2009 season with a torn ligament in his elbow and was again injured in the 2010 season, this time with a shoulder injury.
"For most people, that would be a season-ending injury," said coach Bill Schnier. "But not for Brian."
Last weekend, Zimmerman competed in a meet and has been practicing, but has been doing so in moderation.
"The hope is that eventually this year, he will get back to his normal self or at least close to it," said Schnier.
Last year, Zimmerman accomplished one of his career goals by competing in the NCAA national meet. This year, he wants to get healthy and hopefully head back to nationals. With an intense work ethic and drive, Zimmerman is working hard to get back into shape, an arduous task that he takes very seriously.
"You work twice as hard as you would normally work," he said. "And essentially (you) have to dedicate yourself to becoming injury free."
While the situation he's in isn't ideal, he's taking everything in stride and using it as a learning experience.
"There's a difference between knowing your boundaries and pushing your limits in order to get better," Zimmerman said. "I've found the fine line between pushing my limits and overstepping my bounds now. It's given me an understanding of what my body is and is not capable of."
Schnier acknowledges Zimmerman's work ethic, noting that there aren't many athletes who can recover from two surgeries in the time that he has and that his rehabilitation has been exceptional; calling him a "serious trainer and a serious athlete."
"It's hard and hurtful work," Schnier said of Zimmerman's rehab. "Yet he's done it exceedingly well, which is the only reason he's been able to come back and throw this year, and last."
In 2008, Zimmerman broke the longest-standing school record, Bob Brickweg's javelin mark set in 1967, with a javelin throw of 204'0" at the All-Ohio Championships. In 2010, he qualified for nationals with a throw of 227'10". He hopes to make it back to the national meet, not only this year, but next year as well.
"I still think I can win a national championship," Zimmerman said. "It will be difficult with my injury, but I can still work towards it."
While Zimmerman is focusing on accomplishing his athletic goals, his coach is also quick to point out that he also hopes that his injuries heal not only for athletic purposes, but so that he won't have to live with it forever.
"The main thing is that his shoulder returns to normal," Schnier said. "I just want him to get healed in general for later in life as well."
With two years left to rehabilitate and work towards winning a championship, Zimmerman is working harder than ever to stay focused and get back into his peak shape.
"I still hope for All-American status, this year and next," he said. "A national championship, that's the ultimate goal."