Mizzou gymnast overcomes the odds in return from injury

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

Mizzou gymnastics standout Adalayna Hufendiek did not go too far from home for college, but she is a long way from where she started.

The Rock Bridge alum is in her second season with the Tigers, but her first season actually competing.

In her senior year of high school Hufendiek suffered an extreme injury to her knee.

“The doctor, he was like, gymnastics is not really on the table right now. You just need to focus on being able to walk and being able to run again," she said.

However, the sophomore said she always knew she would make it back on the mat.

She spent her freshman year of college watching, waiting, and learning.

“To stick with it for the that long. For two years almost, to be “on the shelf” so to speak. That can take the wind out of your sails if you’re not driven enough," Mizzou gymnastics coach Shannon Welker said.

Then, On Jan. 8, it all came full circle, as Hufendiek competed in her first NCAA gymnastics meet versus Georgia.

“There were days where I really doubted myself and doubted the ability to come back to gymnastics, so I mean, you just got to look in the future," she said.