Boyko on the way to getting faster, stronger

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/08/2015 (3865 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

How an athlete responds to adversity often goes a long way in defining that athlete.

Most anyone can continue forward when things are going well, but what are you going to do when faced with that obstacle to overcome?

Ben Boyko is in the process of overcoming that obstacle right now. While on a Recruit Ready non-contact 7v7 trip, adversity presented itself in the form of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

“I made a cut and that was it. It happened in April, and I had my surgery on June 15. My rehab has been really good so far, I am two months ahead of schedule. I am hoping to be able to practise or play by sometime in November.”

Ben is a 15-year-old student/athlete going into Grade 10 at Oak Park High School. His dad Allan, a former receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, mom Rone, and younger brother Adam, live in Charleswood. Ben plays wide receiver and slotback.

Ben is looking forward to the challenge of school this year as well as getting back to the game he loves.

“I’ve been doing pretty well at school. I had a high 70s average last year and am planning on doing better this year.”

Anyone who has endured rehab for an injury knows the road can be tough back to good health.

“The hardest part has been seeing all my buddies playing and practising and I can’t do anything but watch. They are all playing the games they love and I can’t even run yet.”

Ben is well on his way to being bigger, faster, and stronger.  

“A big thank you to the coaches at Recruit Ready for helping me improve my game, and to all the staff at Elite Performance for helping me to get better and stronger during my rehab.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show,
every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies.