Anthony Sakry is this month's Varsity Journal Rehab Player of the Month. Sakry, a senior at Menomonie High School, is a single sport athlete, just focusing on his football career.
For most high school athletes, junior year is pivotal—especially for football players like Anthony Sakry, who had big plans for the season. But on September 25, during what seemed like a routine play, the trajectory of his football career changed. While attempting a tackle, Sakry felt a sudden pain that turned out to be a torn ACL, a devastating injury that would sideline him for the rest of the year.
"I knew something wasn’t right immediately," Anthony recalls, reflecting on that fateful day. The injury not only kept him off the field but also meant months of rehab, tests of patience, and sheer determination to get back to where he once was.
The recovery process was grueling and required extensive rehab. "It was a long process, but I was lucky to have a team of people who really wanted to help and understood the challenges I was facing," Sakry says, recalling the support from both family and professionals. Northwoods Therapy played a vital role in this journey. “They were great, always willing to adjust when needed, and helped me regain my strength, week after week.”
Of course, the process wasn’t without its challenges. Regaining the strength in his knee was perhaps the most difficult part. “It was tough at times, but we just kept working at it,” Sakry says. Through that work, Anthony also learned valuable lessons. "When things get difficult, you just have to keep moving forward. Overcoming this has shown me that other hard things will be easier to face."
Now, in his senior season, Anthony’s back on the field, ready to play his final year. One of his favorite high school sports memories is beating rival Hudson in overtime by just two points on September 9th in Hudson. While Anthony doesn’t plan to compete in sports after high school, he’s excited about the possibility of coaching and giving back to the game he loves.
For now, Anthony’s savoring every moment, knowing how far he’s come and just how precious every game is.
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