Texas track star shows resilience after overcoming season-ending injury
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns hurdler Kendrick Smallwood was bound for a successful season before tearing his adductor tendon “completely off the bone”.
“Starting with Texas Relays last year, that fall itself wasn’t necessarily me knowing immediately that I was injured,” Smallwood said.
However, it was the start of a road to recovery for the multi-event track star, who just so happened to excel in hurdles.
“I came to Texas to be a hurdler,” he said. “Then, of course, with the injury being as bad as it was with my adductor being torn completely off the bone, it’s just like where do I go from here with my career as a hurdler.”
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Standing at 5 feet, 7 inches, Smallwood had some hesitation after his recovery.
“As a short hurdler literally, I have to really make sure I’m doing everything that I need to do, the right way,” Smallwood said.
It wasn’t the first or the last time the junior would have to face adversity on track.
“Considering everything I did to get here, I would definitely use resilience as the word to describe it,” he added.
His positive attitude made a huge difference from March 29, 2024, to exactly one year later. Smallwood won the 110-meter hurdles at Texas Relays with a program record time of 13.07. After the win, he expressed a year’s worth of emotions.
“Coming back being resilient and trusting God and his process and relying on him and his strength in me, that’s what got me through today and that’s what caused my celebration,” Smallwood said.
The Longhorns host the Texas Invitational at Mike A. Myers Stadium April 24-25. Smallwood will compete in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at 1:45 p.m. Friday.
