Benz grateful just to be playing at all
by Jim Sawin, sports information intern
CEDARVILLE, Ohio (10-13-2006) - Cedarville University senior forward Justin Benz of the men's soccer team is coming off an outstanding 2005 season where he led his team in both goals (13) and points (26). This was the second straight year Justin led the team in goals after moving from defense to the forward position at the start of the 2004 season. All this success didn't just happen to Benz; in fact, nearly none of this happened at all.
During the first game of the season and just the second day of school, Justin's right leg got tangled up with the opposing team's forward while defending, resulting in a season-ending and career threatening injury. Justin tore his ACL, LCL, meniscus capsule, and hamstring. The only apparent blessing was that he didn't tear his peroneal nerve which would have resulted in amputation of the leg.
"It was a self-reflection time for me," said Benz of his injury. "God humbled me and made me think about why I really play soccer; it's to honor Him."
Various doctors, including Dr. Paul Nitz who conducted the surgery, told the freshman defender that it would be a miracle if he could walk normally again, never mind play soccer once more at full speed. But Justin was determined. Each day he worked with assistant athletic trainer Lisa Martin for 3-4 hours to rehabilitate the injury, hoping to someday return to some sort of athletic ability.
"It wasn't your average rehab," said Martin regarding Justin's injury. "Duke (Robert Duchardt, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training) witnessed the surgery and he said when they opened him up it looked like someone took a knife and slashed his entire leg. We pretty much saw each other everyday but Sunday to reeducate his muscles so he could walk again. And by the end of the school year, Justin was miraculously able to jog."
Lisa treated Justin as a friend, not merely as a patient. Her belief in "training the whole athlete, not just taking care of what was hurt" propelled her to encourage Benz throughout their time together rehabbing.
"The hardest thing was the reality of the injury," said Justin. "I would wake up and feel fine, but then I would look at my leg and see my crutches and my heart would just sink."
But Benz persevered with the help of Lisa, his teammates, and Head Coach Ben Belleman. Even though Justin claims his abilities were awful his sophomore year as a redshirt freshman, Coach Belleman welcomed Benz back to the team.
"We all just hoped he would improve if given the chance," said Coach Belleman of Benz. "If not, we were glad for him to even have the opportunity to try. Sometimes playing decisions have to be about the people involved, not just winning."
Coach Belleman's gracious heart gave Justin the opportunity to experience the outstanding soccer career he has had at Cedarville. And Belleman's sympathy has not gone unnoticed.
"The biggest impact coach has had in my life was not giving up on me. He had no reason to maintain interest because no one thought I would ever contribute again. What coach did means a lot to me."
Justin's storybook ride is still far from over with one more season to go - a season in which he would like to accomplish the following three goals as a team: receive the league sportsmanship award, make the NAIA Top 25, and punch their ticket to the NAIA National Championship.
When asked about individual goals Justin replied, "I want to fulfill my role for the team while using the skills God has given me to my fullest measure in order to bring glory to Him."
And that is the senior's ultimate goal not only in soccer but also in life. Justin is currently working on his B.S. in physics at Cedarville University and hopes to someday work with aerospace and defense, but he is open to God's direction. "I want to do what God wants me to do, not have Him bless what I choose to do."
