For junior Callie Crowe, the second injury didn’t require a diagnosis – this feeling was all too familiar, having experienced it exactly a year prior.

Tearing your ACL can feel like the end of your career. Making a full recovery and then tearing your other ACL a year later – that’s disheartening.

On Jan. 31, 2025, Crowe tore her left ACL. 

This year, on Jan. 20, she tore her right.

“The first time we were at home playing against New Oxford. I was going to intercept a pass on the sideline, and I jumped to grab the ball and came down and hyperextended it, which caused it to tear.” Crowe said. 

At first, Crowe was unaware of the severity of her injuries.

“But then I got up and could run around and do the regular things, so I went back for varsity and warm-up lines. The adrenaline wore off, and it gave out.”

Her recovery time was quick, only 8 1/2 months instead of the typical 9 to twelve months it usually takes.

“The recovery in the first month was definitely the worst because I was in a ton of pain and on crutches.” 

She spent her time watching TV with her mom, Adrienne Crowe. 

“There are moments when I want to break down and cry for her, but I know that I need to be strong for her, so I can’t let her see me like that,” her mom said. 

Last year, Crowe had to go to over 110 sessions of rehab. 

“[After surgery,] it is a struggle for her to do most basic things that we all take for granted,” Adrienne Crowe said. 

To keep her motivated, her parents celebrated small victories, such as achieving goals set by her physical therapist.

Those milestones included getting off crutches, completing a full rotation on a stationary bike, bending her knee to certain degrees, running, and jumping.

The second time her ACL tore, Crowe was playing at York High.

“I went to save a ball again, and I grabbed the ball, went to turn around, and my knee popped; it was super loud that I could hear it. I could get back up on my own again this time, but I didn’t try playing again because I definitely knew it was torn.” Crowe said.

Her second surgery was the same as the previous one, 364 days earlier.

When an ACL tears, it often causes immediate sharp pain accompanied by a distinct pop or snap in the knee, which may feel unstable or give out.

The first time it happened, Crowe didn’t know what was wrong with her because she had never experienced the injury before. This time, she knew immediately. 

“The first time, I was just thinking about how I thought I could keep playing, and the second time I was just so frustrated with the fact that it happened again, and I had to go through the whole process again.”

Tearing an ACL once is heartbreaking enough. Having to go through the recovery process a second time presents an entirely different challenge. 

“Her dad and I were very upset and worried for her; our hearts broke for her and still do,” Adrienne Crowe said. 

The most important thing to Callie during this time is her family, friends, and teammates.

“My friends and family are extremely supportive. I have a good group of people behind me, so everyone is just very helpful and helps me stay positive; it helps a lot knowing that I have people to support me.”

She’s remained very involved with her team, going to every game and staying in touch with her teammates.

“They are some of my best friends, so I always make sure to stay in touch and still come out to support them even if I cannot make a contribution.” 

Crowe mentions Alonna Dowell, Dallastown basketball alumni, as one of her biggest motivators as well.

“We are about to be going through the same thing because she tore her ACL for a second time, too, so it is helpful knowing that someone I care about is relating to me.”

Crowe has been playing basketball for 11 years, since she was in kindergarten, but she confesses she will most likely not be returning for her senior year. 

“I definitely love it, but I have lost two whole years of my career, so I am definitely behind now. Basketball was never my top priority; school is always my priority, so I just need to get back to my normal self and focus on school, especially because college is soon.”