2008 Woodie Awards
Kleffman's coming back
Lars Headington - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Sports
You might be able to bottle Tylenol, but you can't bottle the inner drive to return from injury.
With the Big Ten championships a month away and the NCAA championships two weeks later, Iowa senior Curt Kleffman is nursing a problematic lower back to contribute to the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes' success this season - and also to reclaim a bit of lost personal glory.
As an Iowa junior in 2007, the 5-9 Kleffman posted season highs for the team in the pommel horse and the all-around, and he was set to renew his 2006 All-American status in pommel horse at the NCAA championships.
But fate and physiology intervened - Kleffman suffered a pull in practice that aggravated a high-school injury to his lower back. Doctors were unable to pinpoint the new injury, and Kleffman tried but could not train or compete through the excruciating pain, leaving him sitting on the sidelines for last spring's nationals event.
Taking the whole summer off from training to rest his lower back, a frustrated Kleffman eyed his upcoming senior year, hoping the injury would not derail his attempt at redemption.
"Curt and I talked this summer about the plan to try to make the comeback," head coach Tom Dunn said. "The basic rule was really not to push too hard too early and try to be ready at the end of the year."
Working with coaches and the team trainer, Kleffman resumed workouts in the fall, focusing on maintaining his flexibility to limit tightening and spasms in his lower back.
But his lower back injuries resurfaced before Christmas, giving him pause. Training was slowed down to limit stress on his back in January, when the Hawkeyes began intercollegiate competition.
In the gym, he continued to work to strengthen his body, training on events and staying flexible with concentrated stretching sessions with team trainer Tony Taylor.
The consistent work has borne fruit.
"I'm really surprised because last year when it happened, it lasted all season and into the summer," Kleffman said. "But I think all the stretching that we did in the fall, and every day with Tony, that's really made a big difference."
With the Big Ten championships a month away and the NCAA championships two weeks later, Iowa senior Curt Kleffman is nursing a problematic lower back to contribute to the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes' success this season - and also to reclaim a bit of lost personal glory.
As an Iowa junior in 2007, the 5-9 Kleffman posted season highs for the team in the pommel horse and the all-around, and he was set to renew his 2006 All-American status in pommel horse at the NCAA championships.
But fate and physiology intervened - Kleffman suffered a pull in practice that aggravated a high-school injury to his lower back. Doctors were unable to pinpoint the new injury, and Kleffman tried but could not train or compete through the excruciating pain, leaving him sitting on the sidelines for last spring's nationals event.
Taking the whole summer off from training to rest his lower back, a frustrated Kleffman eyed his upcoming senior year, hoping the injury would not derail his attempt at redemption.
"Curt and I talked this summer about the plan to try to make the comeback," head coach Tom Dunn said. "The basic rule was really not to push too hard too early and try to be ready at the end of the year."
Working with coaches and the team trainer, Kleffman resumed workouts in the fall, focusing on maintaining his flexibility to limit tightening and spasms in his lower back.
But his lower back injuries resurfaced before Christmas, giving him pause. Training was slowed down to limit stress on his back in January, when the Hawkeyes began intercollegiate competition.
In the gym, he continued to work to strengthen his body, training on events and staying flexible with concentrated stretching sessions with team trainer Tony Taylor.
The consistent work has borne fruit.
"I'm really surprised because last year when it happened, it lasted all season and into the summer," Kleffman said. "But I think all the stretching that we did in the fall, and every day with Tony, that's really made a big difference."
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