For Shadow Ridge High School senior Emma Finlinson, this cheer season has been about more than competitions and routines, it has been about resilience. After undergoing arm surgery, Finlinson faced a demanding recovery process that tested her physically and mentally, all while preparing to return just in time for competition season.
Following surgery, Finlinson says she feels stronger and healthier overall.
“I am feeling so much better after surgery,” she said. “It has made me a stronger athlete with less pain, but I still have a bent arm,” she added with a laugh.
While the results have been positive, the road to recovery was far from easy.
Finlinson spent much of her summer attending physical therapy multiple times a week while sitting out as her team began training. Watching from the sidelines was difficult, especially as preparations ramped up without her.
“I felt a little behind,” Finlinson said, recalling how challenging it was to miss summer practices while focusing on healing.
Despite the setbacks, Finlinson found motivation through her love for cheer. Not being able to participate reminded her how much the sport meant to her.
“Every time I had to watch my team without me, it motivated me to work harder on my recovery,” she said.
Fortunately, the majority of her recovery was completed by the start of football season, allowing her to transition smoothly back into competition training. This season has been especially exciting for the Shadow Ridge cheer team, as they prepare for a major competition in Florida.
“It’s a huge deal,” Emma said. “We’ve worked so hard for it all year, and we also get to go to Disney World.”
Emma credits her teammates for playing a major role in her successful return. She described the team as supportive and understanding, noting that they never treated her differently because of her injury.
“They treated me like any other athlete and didn’t baby me,” she said. “They truly are the best.”
Returning to the mat was nerve racking at first, but that fear quickly turned into excitement. Emma described her most recent competition as exhilarating, saying the adrenaline is unmatched. As she finishes her senior season with one of the hardest routines she’s ever performed, Emma’s journey stands as a powerful example of perseverance and determination at Shadow Ridge High School.
