A Student-Athlete’s Comeback: Xavier's Story

For many student athletes, sports are more than a hobby. They provide structure, purpose and a sense of identity. The hours spent training, competing and working toward goals become a major part of everyday life. But when an injury happens, the question becomes simple. How do you get back to the sport you love?

Injury To Comeback

For Xavier Storm, sports have always been at the center of his world.

"My name's Xavier Storm. I'm an only child to two amazing parents who've always taken care of me and pushed me to be better," he said.

As a senior in high school and an Eagle Scout, Xavier participated in football, wrestling and track. His love for athletics began at a young age. "Throughout my life, sports have always been a huge part of it," Xavier said. "That's been my biggest love since I was five."

But after experiencing multiple injuries during his high school athletic career, Xavier faced a challenge many athletes fear: the possibility of not being able to return to the sports he loves.

Overcoming Setbacks

Miho Sayles, ATC, athletic trainer with Franciscan Health, first met Xavier during his freshman year while he was competing in track.

"He was running track, and unfortunately he got injured and did rehab with us,” Sayles said.

After recovering from that injury, Xavier returned to competition. However, during his sophomore year, he suffered another injury that was severe enough to require a referral to Sean Calloway, MD, an orthopedic specialist who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health. Xavier underwent surgery and worked closely with physical therapists throughout his recovery process.

After successfully returning to sports, Xavier enjoyed a healthy year of competition and continued building momentum heading into football season.

Then another setback occurred.

During the second game of the football season, Xavier injured his shoulder while making a tackle.

"I had the guy and then some dude came to pull me off,” Xavier recalled, “and he pulled my shoulder up and back and then it popped out."

Xavier briefly returned to the game wearing a brace, but his shoulder dislocated again.

Following an evaluation, Sayles suspected the injury would require additional medical intervention.

"After the injury, Sayles had sat me down and just said, 'Okay, it's probably torn. Got to send you back to the doctor. You're probably going to have to get surgery,'" Xavier said.

Sayles referred Xavier to Dr. Joseph Richardville, sports medicine specialist with Franciscan Physician Network Sports Medicine Specialists.

Building A Plan For Recovery

Hearing that surgery might be necessary was difficult.

"When I first heard that I might need to have surgery, I was really scared because I realized, I might never be able to play again," Xavier said.

But the Franciscan Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team focused on creating a path forward.Before surgery, Xavier worked closely with Sayles to prepare his body for recovery.

"We kind of set the goal," Sayles said. "We are going to get the full range of motion back and then we'll get the strength back."

She encouraged him to focus on building strength before surgery so he could achieve the best possible outcome afterward.

"I told him that, ‘The goal is to get stronger than the other side,’" Sayles said. "The stronger he is going into surgery, he's going to come back stronger."

Through every stage of treatment, Xavier said he felt supported by the entire care team.

"The team at Franciscan, I mean, it was really a big team effort," he said. "They treated me more like an athlete than just a normal patient."

He added, "I felt appreciated and loved and like I was going to be taken care of for however long I had to be there."

Returning To What Matters Most

Recovery required patience, dedication and hard work, but Xavier remained focused on his goal of returning to the sports he enjoyed.

When he was finally cleared to return to sports, the moment made all of the effort worthwhile.

"Getting released to come back and get back into sports was great," Xavier said. "I felt good. I knew I was good. I was just excited to get back on the field and knew that everything I did was worth it."

Today, Xavier is back to participating in the sports he loves, a result he credits to both his determination and the support he received throughout his recovery journey at Franciscan Health sports medicine.

"Because of Franciscan, I'm really back to doing what I love, which is sports," he said.

Expert Sports Medicine Care Close To Home

At Franciscan Health, orthopedic and sports medicine specialists work alongside athletic trainers, surgeons and rehabilitation experts to help athletes recover from injuries and safely return to activity.

Whether treating a high school athlete, weekend warrior or active adult, the goal remains the same: providing expert care, personalized support and a clear path back to the activities that matter most.