Publication:Idaho State;

Date:May 27, 2000;

Section:Undefined;

Page Number:1

Injured ISU athlete on way back home

By The Journal Staff



    RENO, Nev. Idaho State freshman Ricci Kilgore has progressed to outpatient status, two months after suffering a broken back in a traffic accident here.

    Kilgore, a pole vaulter for the Idaho State track and field team last fall, was thrown from a van on the way back to Pocatello from Reno, Nev., on March 19. During the initial hours following the accident, Kilgore had no feeling in her legs or toes.

    Surgery was performed after the accident to repair the injured vertebrae and the long road of recovery started with physical therapy sessions to strengthen the area around the injury. Kilgore does about 90 minutes of work with her physical therapist each day, then does an additional three hours of work on her own. Because of her hard work, Kilgore can now recover in the comfort of her own home.

    Paul Heglar, her track coach at Reno High School who has been with Kilgore throughout the ordeal, said the physical therapy is currently focused on strengthening her legs, specifically the hamstrings. Kilgore lost a lot of weight initially after the accident, but has put back on nine pounds in the past few weeks.

    They are working with her everyday in the walker and working on her holding her own weight, Heglar said. They are trying to regain muscle.

    Kilgores goal is to pole vault again, but for the immediate future her focus is on therapy, in the hopes of re-enrolling in college next fall or the following spring.