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Long Road to Recovery - Wimmer Back on the Mat for His Senior Season
2/6/2024 12:14:00 PM | Wrestling
By Morgan Pruchniewski, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM -- Three years ago, stepping onto the mat for his first collegiate match, Jack Wimmer experienced every athlete's worst nightmare. After months of limited training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania native tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus during his first bout against the rival North Carolina.
Having already fought through a hand injury from high school, Wimmer was discouraged by this potentially career-ending injury.
"I immediately knew something was wrong, but I didn't know how bad it was at first," said Wimmer. "You never think that something like that can happen to you. It was so miserable having to deal with it."
"He ended up tearing his ACL, MCL and then his meniscus," said Duke wrestling head coach Glen Lanham. "That's an injury that a lot of guys retire from."
Starting on the long road to recovery, Wimmer had many obstacles to overcome. He received surgery and took the rest of his freshman year to recover. He was able to begin training again during his sophomore year, but with many limitations, leading to the ultimate decision to redshirt for the season.
"Jack was already about five months post op when I had the privilege of starting to work with him," said Jordan Busse, Duke Athletic Medicine Physical Therapist. "He worked his butt off every day in rehab and was always up for any new challenges I had for him… Jack has a great personality and was a joy to work with. I have been so happy to see Jack continue to wrestle here at Duke."
"There was a huge fear factor that I had to overcome," said Wimmer. "I had to learn to get over the fear, while wrestling that I wouldn't get hurt again. That was really hard for me, I just remembered how miserable I had been during that time and was so afraid it would happen again. I also learned a huge lesson in being patient with myself."
After years of hard work, physical therapy, and recovery, Wimmer finally feels that he's back wrestling without fear and to his full abilities.
"He battled through a lot of mental things to get back to where he needed to be and just hats off to him to be even beyond the mat at where he is right now," said Lanham. "Just kind of shows how tough he is."
Wimmer is back competing for the Blue Devils and attributes so much of his recovery to the Duke family around him.
So far this season, Wimmer has registered six wins, including dual match victories against Gardner-Webb, Queens, Kent State and Cleveland State. His six wins as a senior is a career-best at his 174 weight. A native of Roxbury, Pa., Wimmer recently missed two matches with a shoulder injury, but made his return against Pittsburgh this past week.  Â
"My teammates were so helpful and encouraging throughout this time," said Wimmer. "My teammates were there for me when I was bedridden. They helped me out so much throughout this process and it just shows how close we are."
His recovery is also a huge testament to the support of the Duke wrestling program.
"My physical therapist helped me out so much," said Wimmer. "He knew how hard this was for me and was always there to make me laugh on the hard days and be there for me."
 "[Wimmer's] got a lot of grit," said Lanham. "A lot of kudos goes into this - just the facets of everything coming together and everybody kind of helping him get back on the mat. So obviously this [was a] team effort to get him to where he needs."
Wimmer plans to give back to future athletes going through injuries like his by attending Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) school and becoming a physical therapist.
"This whole experience has shown me how much I love the sport," said Wimmer. "All I thought about during this process was how excited I was to be back competing."
Watch Wimmer and the rest of the Duke Wrestling team take on Virginia Tech this Friday at 7:00 p.m., in Blacksburg, Va. It will be broadcasted live on ACC Network.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Â
DURHAM -- Three years ago, stepping onto the mat for his first collegiate match, Jack Wimmer experienced every athlete's worst nightmare. After months of limited training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania native tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus during his first bout against the rival North Carolina.
Having already fought through a hand injury from high school, Wimmer was discouraged by this potentially career-ending injury.
"I immediately knew something was wrong, but I didn't know how bad it was at first," said Wimmer. "You never think that something like that can happen to you. It was so miserable having to deal with it."
"He ended up tearing his ACL, MCL and then his meniscus," said Duke wrestling head coach Glen Lanham. "That's an injury that a lot of guys retire from."
Starting on the long road to recovery, Wimmer had many obstacles to overcome. He received surgery and took the rest of his freshman year to recover. He was able to begin training again during his sophomore year, but with many limitations, leading to the ultimate decision to redshirt for the season.
"Jack was already about five months post op when I had the privilege of starting to work with him," said Jordan Busse, Duke Athletic Medicine Physical Therapist. "He worked his butt off every day in rehab and was always up for any new challenges I had for him… Jack has a great personality and was a joy to work with. I have been so happy to see Jack continue to wrestle here at Duke."
"There was a huge fear factor that I had to overcome," said Wimmer. "I had to learn to get over the fear, while wrestling that I wouldn't get hurt again. That was really hard for me, I just remembered how miserable I had been during that time and was so afraid it would happen again. I also learned a huge lesson in being patient with myself."
After years of hard work, physical therapy, and recovery, Wimmer finally feels that he's back wrestling without fear and to his full abilities.
"He battled through a lot of mental things to get back to where he needed to be and just hats off to him to be even beyond the mat at where he is right now," said Lanham. "Just kind of shows how tough he is."
Wimmer is back competing for the Blue Devils and attributes so much of his recovery to the Duke family around him.
So far this season, Wimmer has registered six wins, including dual match victories against Gardner-Webb, Queens, Kent State and Cleveland State. His six wins as a senior is a career-best at his 174 weight. A native of Roxbury, Pa., Wimmer recently missed two matches with a shoulder injury, but made his return against Pittsburgh this past week.  Â
"My teammates were so helpful and encouraging throughout this time," said Wimmer. "My teammates were there for me when I was bedridden. They helped me out so much throughout this process and it just shows how close we are."
His recovery is also a huge testament to the support of the Duke wrestling program.
"My physical therapist helped me out so much," said Wimmer. "He knew how hard this was for me and was always there to make me laugh on the hard days and be there for me."
 "[Wimmer's] got a lot of grit," said Lanham. "A lot of kudos goes into this - just the facets of everything coming together and everybody kind of helping him get back on the mat. So obviously this [was a] team effort to get him to where he needs."
Wimmer plans to give back to future athletes going through injuries like his by attending Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) school and becoming a physical therapist.
"This whole experience has shown me how much I love the sport," said Wimmer. "All I thought about during this process was how excited I was to be back competing."
Watch Wimmer and the rest of the Duke Wrestling team take on Virginia Tech this Friday at 7:00 p.m., in Blacksburg, Va. It will be broadcasted live on ACC Network.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWRES".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Â
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