Shires’ Corey Woodworth back and healthy

By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    Injuries happen to athletes, with more serious ones lasting into weeks. Very few athletes ever miss nearly a half year.
    Houlton senior Corey Woodworth is finally healthy again, finishing the soccer season and taking to the hardwood for the Houlton Shiretowners this season.
    In the spring of 2008, Woodworth rounded third base heading into home plate when his injury occurred. As he slid, his leg caught the catcher’s shin guards just right and it happened … a broken tibia.
    Woodworth recuperated through the remainder of the baseball season, summer and through his junior soccer season. Woodworth’s cast was to be removed the third week of July. But, he had finished driving some golf balls and was walking down a grassy hill when he slipped.
    “I fell back on it,” he said. “I knew right then … from the snap I heard … I had broken it again.”    
    With the setback, Woodworth wasn’t able to have the boot cast cut off until Sept. 18. With physical therapy behind him, Woodworth made his comeback Dec. 5 of last year to the basketball team. Watching him on the floor, Woodworth was still a bit tentative on his leg.
    “Corey’s recovery took much longer than most of us thought,” said Houlton basketball coach Mike Fogarty. “He tried to come back as soon as possible, but he just never was able to make it back last year at 100 percent.”
    Unable to play at his full potential, Woodworth settled for sparse minutes.
    “After physical therapy, I still had a bad problem with my ankle because it was so weak,” he said.
    But, with the remaining winter and summer of rest and healing, Woodworth was able to regain his competitive edge.
    Playing defense for the Houlton Shires soccer team, Woodworth looked strong and was able to move without pain.
    “I was finally able to strengthen my ankle enough so it didn’t hurt to run on it,” he said. “I am finally back to 100 percent with my leg.”
    Fogarty watched his forward on the soccer field and was glad to see his improvement.
    “I could tell right away he was back,” he said. “He was able to get up and down the field with no signs of trouble. Once he hit the hardwood, he was the same. His ability to plant and change direction was great to see.”
    Missing so much time for sports, Woodworth is happy to return healthy.
    “It feels really good to get back to playing again,” he said. “Hopefully, we will have a great season.”
    Having Woodworth back boosts the Shires, according to his coach.
    “It’s great to have Corey back on the floor,” said Fogarty. “We truly missed him last year. He brings a lot of energy to our team, so just having him on the floor is a plus. But, for him to be able to contribute at the level he is capable of is an added bonus.”