Injury Sets Back 'Elegant and Powerful' Gymnast

As a freshman on the University of Maryland women's gymnastics team, 18-year-old Ebony Walters has already spent the majority of her life immersed in the sport.

"Ebony is a very talented gymnast. She is elegant and powerful," said Erinn Dooley, assistant coach for the women's gymnastics team. "She is very hard working and doesn't let anything bring her down, which makes her a pleasure to coach."

In fact, Walters has reason to be down, but is making the most of an unfortunate situation. Currently inactive on the team after having surgery for stress fractures, a permanent rod in her left leg is a reminder of the hard work and occasional physical overexertion Walters has experienced in her tenure thus far as a gymnast.

"My goal is to get healthy again and get back in the gym," said Walters, whose projected healing time is about three to four months.

Walters, a Silver Spring native and graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, started gymnastics at the age of four and is currently the university's sole female African-American gymnast.

"It doesn't bother me [being the only African-American member on the team]," said Walters. "We all get treated the same."

Jarel Dorsey, manager of the women's gymnastics team, believes the lack of African-American gymnasts at college levels and beyond is due in part to the whopping financial strain it can cause on middle-class families.

"Gymnastics is a very expensive sport," said Dorsey. "Financially, most middle-class Black families can't afford it. To get to the level you need to be at to be a college level gymnast costs thousands and thousands of dollars over many years. Tuition for gymnastics training at a gym is comparable to college tuition, and lots of Black families don't have that funding."

Prior to her surgery, Walters spent 20 hours a week training and practicing with the team.

"I love being a part of a team. There's always someone around to help you," said Walters. "But it would be nice to have more time for schoolwork."

Gymnastics, as with any college or professional level sport, requires hard work, dedication, and often times struggle.

During Dooley's nearly two decades involved in gymnastics, she has pulled muscles, broken her elbow, and fractured her tibia – and she considers herself lucky to have only endured those injuries.

"[Injuries] make you stronger as a person and gymnast to have overcome the setback and become a better gymnast and person because of them," said Dooley.

Walters is still undecided on many things – she has yet to declare a major, and does not know whether gymnastics will remain a fierce hobby or transcend into a profession.

"I'd like gymnastics to be a part of my future," said Walters. "If my body holds up."