BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — It was not how he had hoped his senior year would go. But Tug Valley All-State athlete Bryson Elia suffered a severe knee injury during the Tolsia game, which was more serious than many knew.
“When I first hurt my knee, I knew it was serious but had no idea it was to the extent it is,” Elia said in an exclusive interview.
Not only did he miss the final games of the regular season, but he was also unable to play in the playoffs. Since surgery is scheduled for the injury, Elia will also not be able to play basketball in his final season.
“Yes, my ACL, MCL and meniscus are all torn,” Elia said of the injury to his right knee. “Surgery is being held off because my MCL is a grade 3 partial tear, meaning it can heal without surgery and the doctor wants to let it scar over and start to heal before going in for surgery on the rest.”
The surgery will be done in Huntington.
“Rehab will be around six months,” Elia added of the long road to recovery.
The senior was a part of Tug Valley’s back-to-back Class A state basketball championship teams during his sophomore and junior seasons. In fact, he hit the game-winning shot in the final game in his sophomore year at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Obviously, Elia is disappointed at not being able to finish his final football season and get the chance to help his team to a 3-peat this March in hoops.
Although he only played in a handful of games during the football season, Elia had over 1,000 yards rushing and about 1,500 all-purpose yards. He also played his usual shutdown defense as a cornerback on that side of the ball.
“It is one of the worst things to happen to me throughout my life, knowing you won’t be able to play with your lifelong friends anymore is hard enough, “ Elia said. “but when it happens in a freak accident where it prevents you from getting to play the upcoming season you were looking forward to, and also being so sudden, it definitely is rough. But I know that God has a plan and I’m always going to trust that it is for the better.”
The Panther two-sport star had received some interest from small colleges. But he still plans to get his education, even if his athletic career may be over.
“I am undecided about how college will go, so it is up in the air for me. No matter what happens with sports, I will still for sure be attending college and getting a degree,” Elia stressed.
He is also a star in the classroom, earning honor roll status. He is not sure what his major will be, but has looked into Civil Engineering as a possibility.
Elia has received a lot of prayers and support from the Tug Valley community.
“I mean the support from everyone in the community is incredible. Between fans, coaches and teammates, everyone has been sure to keep check on me and always let me know that if I need anything, they are there, and what more can you ask from people who are not family, but just as close.” Elia added.
“My family on the other hand, has been nothing short of the support they have given me my entire life through sports and life in general. No matter the circumstances they always give me the drive to keep pushing through life’s obstacles and that’s exactly what I am doing. I truly love them with everything in me.” Elia said of his parents Nick and Angie Elia and older brother Dawson.
“I would just like to let everyone know that I’ve been so blessed to be able to play the sports I love for as long as I have, and I am so grateful for that. But, just how it happened with me, it can be over in just a few minutes which means we as people need to make sure we don’t take things we love for granted in case something ever happens,” Elia concluded.
Elia has had a successful high school career, even though his senior season ended due to the injury.
There is no doubt that he will be successful in life and still has bright future ahead.