In an emotional return, a Pella Christian senior cleared a significant hurdle in a seven-month rehabilitation. Morgan Fopma was back for the track and field team and raced in the 4×100 meters and sprint medley relays for the Eagles Tuesday at the P.C. Invitational. Fopma says she was nearly overwhelmed with a wide range of emotions as her journey back from a torn ACL during volleyball season took a big step forward.

“I have to remind myself that I’m not going to be the same speed or person as I was last year, but also, I’ve got new challenges and everyone still supporting me, so I think it’s just as much fun” Fopma says. “Hitting that finish line, just feeling all the relief of the past seven months and the tears and everything–it’s overwhelming…it’s amazing.”

Teammate Lucas Bandstra says seeing his close friend return had an impact on him and his sister Mary Kate, and will be a big boost forward for the rest of the team.

“It’s hard not to smile ear-to-ear seeing her out there,” Bandstra says. “Mary Kate [Bandstra] and I, we gave each other a huge hug after the first race Mo ran in.”

After three meets in five days, the Eagles are off until the teams split up next Tuesday, when the boys travel to BGM and the girls head to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.