Injury limits coach at the net Mardini tough a er tearing his Achilles tendon

Mareo Lawson Roundup Reporter

Through the halls of the North Gym among the sounds of sneakers squeaking on wood floors and amid the smell of locker room sweat the ‘Wounded Wizard’ maintains his commanding presence.

Coach of the women’s volleyball team Nabil Mardini, who has led the Brahmas to three state championships, ruptured his Achilles’ heel on June 3, 2014.

“The whole thing ruptured, just like Kobe. Basically the same injury, “ Mardini said.

Mardini was treated by the same surgeon as Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, Dr. Neal Elattrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic. The injury occurred while Mardini was playing defense at an exhibition match.

“It’s a very common injury amongst athletes, as you see on television,” Dr. Ellattrache said.

Ellattrache explained that the injury is more frequent in athletes who are in their 30s and 40s. Achilles’ heel ruptures can occur when a player has their heel down and the calf is trying to project the body forward.

In other words, when a player is propelling themselves forward, the muscle is stretched to its maximum. A reactionary movement, such as a sudden shift or change in the player’s direction, can cause the tendon to rupture.

“Kobe was about the fastest recovery I have ever seen, but

I wouldn’t promote that,” Dr. Ellantrache said. “If a patient hits all the milestones after surgery, they can usually expect full unrestricted recovery in a year.”

According to Dr. Ellattrache the average patient will recover within nine to ten months.

Mardini has been receiving physical therapy from the clinic’s outpatient team. He may no longer wear the boot, but coach Mardini will definitely remember this injury. “I can tolerate pain, but this,” as Mardini sighed remembering the pain. “I literally took a step back with my right foot and I felt the rupture, the pop.”

Mardini lifted his leg to display how his right heel hangs out the back of his blue sneakers. Although injured he continues to exhibit his passion for the sport, while maintaining his coaching schedule. His love for volleyball started as a youth in Lebanon. Mardini grew up playing volleyball and competing internationally with the Lebanese National Team. He has also competed professionally with regional power Club Relevement Social Knat. His desire to play volleyball brought him to Los Angeles. Mardini has won several awards.

One of those awards was coach of the year. He has inspired the players to work hard and strive for greatness.

“He’s definitely hard, but it’s a good push from him,” said captain Jessica Martinez. “Because if I didn’t have a coach that pushed as hard as he [did], I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Although Mardini’s injury has not effected his drive and dedication to coaching, some of the players, including Martinez, have noticed a slight difference in his coaching.

“It’s a different feeling when he is showing you, because you can see how intense he gets,” said Martinez. “He still shows it. He just doesn’t show it physically to us, but emotionally it’s there.”

For the past 14 years Mardini has been the coach of the Brahmas. The team has maintained an 80 percent winning ratio during his tenure. Whether he is coaching from a chair or from the center line, Mardini is determined to overcome his injury and continue to lead the Brahmas to more victories.

Trojans were unable to stop him. He had 10 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. And currently has five touchdowns in five games.

“He has shown throughout his whole career what he is capable of,” said Bart Hollander, 57-year-old USC fan from Huntington Beach of Strong after the game.

“He is big time and he’s clutch. He is capable of doing whatever he wants. That last play, everyone knew what he was about to do. He should have never been allowed to go down the field but he did it anyway and he made it happen.”

Pierce College defensive back coach, Torry Hughes remembers the day when he first met. He was with Strong’s mother who had to sign a waiver for her 17-year-old son to be eligible to play. The waiver allowed Strong to come to Woodland Hills where he would grayshirt in his first year with the Brahmas after being recruited by Hughes and former coach Ty Greenwood who is now the quality control coach on defense for the University of Kansas.

“We had a camp every Sunday for wide receivers,” Hughes said. “Even when he was a young kid I knew we had something because I would play against him as a defensive back to guard the corners and I had problems. We knew we had something and there is no doubt that not only will Jaelen be a first round pick but he will be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft.”

Pierce College cornerback Jay’Onn Myles who also was on hand to witness Strong’s game said he provides a lot of inspiration to junior college football players who want to make it to the big stage.

“Right now he is at the pinnacle of his career and provides the rest of us guys still at the junior college level hope,” Myles said.

“His performance was absolutely legendary. When they say he is a beast, people can’t really say that. Because Jaelen Strong is not a beast, he is the beast.”

Coming into the game against USC, he was only a target a player known in the Pac-12. In just one clutch play at the very end, Strong changed all that. He became an icon of Arizona State and a force that the rest of the country is now aware of.

After the game coming out of the players tunnel the only name fans were chanting was Strong.

For Strong this was more than just a game, it was the opportunity to finally let the world know who he truly is and that his name shouldn’t be forgotten. If there were any questions of who Strong was they are now answered.

The legacy he left at Pierce College is now being carried on at Arizona State and perhaps someday in the NFL .

Sports briefs

Football

– Compiled by Ethan Hanson

For Pierce College’s football team things could only get better after the previous two abysmal weeks of back to back routs.

It did get better, but it didn’t amount to anything as the Brahmas lost their third game in a row 52-36.

West Los Angeles College got after Pierce early and with the Brahmas defensive line being so ineffective, the Wildcats went into the half leading 49-3.

After making adjustments anda brand new defensive scheme the Brahmas second half looked very much like the team last year that won the American Division Bowl championship. Pierce would score 46 points and the Wildcats would only add a field goal in the second half. Even with the late surge it was still too little too late.

“We played well in the second half,” Brahmas quarterback Mike Adens said. “We changed some things up and we started to move the ball. Overall I think we’re back and I feel pretty confident about the rest of the season.”

The Brahmas next game will be on the road where they will take on the Orange Coast Pirates who have a record of 0-4. Pierce looks to turn their season around and end its three game losing streak. The game starts at 6 p.m.