Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Chrystal Emerson Named Comeback Athlete of the Year
June 21, 1999 | Cowgirl Soccer
August 14, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State senior goalkeeper Chrystal Emerson received Training & Conditioning's Comeback Athlete Award, the magazine annouced today.
Emerson earned the honor after successfully rehabilitating both of her knees through four anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in five years. The Portland, Ore., native has had two ACL operations on both of her knees during her athletic career and also underwent shoulder surgery last spring.
Cowgirl head coach Karen Hancock was ecstatic upon hearing of the award.
"Chrystal deserves the award and I am thrilled that she has been recognized. More often than not, other athletes give up after one or two surgeries, but this shows Chrystal's dedication and hard work in the rehabilitation process," said Hancock.
Emerson will receive a plaque and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Training & Conditioning. In order to receive the award, an athlete must be nominated by an athletic trainer along with detailed documentation of the rehabilitation process.
Emerson is a two-year starter at keeper for the Cowgirls after transferring from South Alabama after her freshman year. She has posted a 15-15-2 record with a 1.77 goals against average in her career at OSU. Emerson was voted the team's most inspirational player by her teammates following her sophomore campaign.
Training & Conditioning magazine is a bimonthly national publication with a circulation of around 30,000 athletic trainers throughout the United States. The award is divided into three different categories which includes athletes from the high school (male and female), college (male and female) and professional levels.
