Defeated to Dedicated

By: Julia Smith

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Alabama Senior Sarah Maynard, plays for the Alabama women’s wheelchair team. Maynard has played for the Crimson Tide for four years and is anxious for the games coming up.

The women’s team is currently in an undefeated season only a couple games away from the championship. Maynard has won a championship with Alabama before, but this year she is anxious.

“I am nervous with not losing a game yet” Maynard said, “but of the four years playing at Alabama, this year’s team has the most chemistry”.

Maynard has become good friends with her teammates and couldn’t be happier, but if you asked her where she would see herself now seven years ago, she would never believe she would still being playing a sport she loves.

• Pictured: Maynard playing shock put in high school after her accident. Photo provided by: star-telegram.com

In Pester Texas, Maynard was an all-star athlete. She played volleyball, softball and of course basketball. Her childhood consisted of playing sports, but when she was 13, all her joy was taken away.

The Maynard family was packing up for a trip to the lake. Sarah was helping her mom pack up the trailer when the trailer lost control and went into hydroplane. From the accident, Maynard broke her back and injured her spinal cord.

The picture to right, was shared by Maynard’s family through a Facebook page giving friends and family updates on her recovery. Although Maynard is star on the court now, she almost didn’t play for Alabama.

“I thought wheelchair basketball looked lame “Maynard said. “I thought that probably everyone that watch the sport would pity the players”.

Maynard started playing wheelchair basketball her senior year of high school and applied to several schools with the program.

“I looked at Arizona, Illinois and Alabama and even though Arizona had palm trees, I loved Alabama’s aspect of having a family” Maynard said.

Once she joined Alabama, she admits that she didn’t feel like she was living for the team, but once the team won a championship, she felt the love for basketball again.

Maynard loves being a part of the Crimson Tide playing the game she loves the most. Although her life took a turn after the accident, she advises anyone who goes through a similar situation to never to give up.

“No matter how much you think it isn’t for you, stuck with it and your former ability will translate” Maynard said.