Rising after the fall: Aberdeen teen who had lower leg amputated headed back to state wrestling tournament

Feb 25, 2010 — American News

Deb Smith

Feb. 25, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- In just his first season back on the mat and less than one year after an amputation of his lower left leg, Aberdeen Central's Derek Johnson will compete in the state wrestling tournament.

He injured his leg in a football game on Sept. 28, 2007. When his injury failed to heal properly, Johnson underwent surgery to remove a portion of his leg on Dec. 30, 2008.

After extensive rehabilitation and strenuous workouts, Johnson returned to the Golden Eagle wrestling team last fall. He does not use a prosthetic on the mat, so he had to change his style to learn to wrestle on one leg.

"I've always been pretty quick and good at catching people. I used to be horrible at wrestling on top. I was best on my feet. I used to be the team leader in takedowns, but now I don't have as many, but I've gotten good at reversals," Johnson said.

He last qualified for the State A Wrestling tournament as a freshman in February 2007. Johnson returns to the state stage on Friday and Saturday at Rapid City.

"What a great story with Derek coming back," said Central wrestling coach Toby Bryant. "He was our leader before the tragedy. He got to state his freshman year, and he hasn't been back since. He was a pivotal part of our program. He came back to our wrestling family. He brings inspiration to the team. He overcame adversity with a positive attitude."

Johnson, a senior captain, will take a 19-16 record to the state tournament.

"It's been awhile since I've been to state," said Johnson. "It's tough to place at state, but hopefully, it will go well. I'm happy to be there, but I want to show up and do some work. I'm relieved to get in. It's nice to be back."

Johnson will wrestle Jarren Jensen from Rapid City Stevens (26-15) in the opening round at 160 pounds. Johnson beat Jensen earlier in the season.

Last fall, fundraisers were held locally to raise money to buy a Flex-Foot Cheetah, a high-performance carbon fiber foot designed for high-intensity athletics. Johnson doesn't wear the prosthesis during matches, but makes use of the Cheetah in some of his workouts.

"I just ran four miles (Sunday). I went down on the ice. I'm a professional faller. I can do everything with it (prosthetic) pretty much. I don't like to lift with it because it will wear out faster. I just signed up for a half marathon in Fargo in May. I'll start training for that as soon as wrestling is done. I'll maybe do full marathons. I have to stay competitive in something," said Johnson, who is also doing some motivational speaking.

During fundraising efforts for the athletic prosthesis, T-shirts were sold for Johnson with the quote, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

The quote belongs to Marianne Williamson but was repeated by Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa and winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize for Peace.

It fits Johnson and his life since the injury. He rose up from an amputation and has persevered in his dream to not only return to wrestling but to return at a high level.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0002-42358242