VIDEO: Hurdler completely ruptures Achilles, still finishes race
Idaho State University hurdler Shelby Erdahl displayed incredible perseverance finishing a race after rupturing her Achilles tendon.
What a display of courage from @ISUBengals' @shelbylynn1515. Despite her injury, she finished the race!#BigSkyTF https://t.co/bsFLSaDnVG
— EverSport (@eversporttv) May 19, 2016
Shelby Erdahl, a hurdler from Idaho State University, did everything she could to earn a point for the Bengals in the team competition. The university student ruptured her left Achilles tendon shortly into the race but still finished the 400m hurdles race at the Big Sky track and field championships in ninth place.
RELATED: High school team wins relay race using the world’s largest baton.
Instead of getting medical assistance around the 100m-mark, the spot of the injury, Erdahl continued all the way to the finish line. Erdahl finished nearly two minutes behind her nearest competitor in 2:53:56 but inspired everyone who was watching.
RELATED: High school runner pulls off the most dramatic steeplechase fall.
“My focus was just on the finish line,” said Erdahl in a post-race interview. She cites all the hard workouts with teammates as a key motivator that helped her get across the line despite the tremendous pain. Achilles injuries are often devastating for runners.
The Big Sky track and field championships is an annual conference meet among universities located in the western United States. Individual athletes earn points based on their position in races to contribute to their team’s overall score. The higher the score, the better.
A moving interview with Erdahl days after the event can be found below:
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
