Sophomore Carly Cockrum is back competing for the Edwardsburg girls track team.

Unfortunately, she’s not 100-percent healthy.

She may never be completely pain free.

Cockrum suffered a serious knee injury late last year during track season, while competing in the long jump.

“I popped my kneecap out of place,” said Cockrum. “It popped back in the wrong way and I tore some tendons.”

Cockrum’s freshman season, which consisted of competing in the long jump, 800-meter relay, 200 meters and 400-meter relay, came to an abrupt end.

Surgery didn’t take place. Treatment, therapy and rest were recommended to help heal the knee.

The setback didn’t change Cockrum’s attitude toward track. She was determined to compete again this year and perform at a high level even if she wasn’t completely healed.

“I love the competition,” Cockrum said. “It really interests me so I’ve stayed with it.”

Cockrum wasn’t feeling great last Friday at the Edwardsburg Invitational, but she still performed well in several events.

Cockrum, whose best event is the long jump, finished second in that competition (15-11 3/4), fourth in the 200 meters (27.95) and ran the anchor leg in the 800-meter relay, which finished third with a time of 1:55.88. Abbi Nugent, Taylor Hepler and Gabby Golba were also on the relay.

“It’s very frustrating for me because I think I can do a lot better,” Cockrum said. “I just try to do what I can. I hope I can get back up to my 16-2 in the long jump.”

Edwardsburg girls track coach Beth Gunn was pleased with Cockrum’s performance in the 800-meter relay.

“She ran a tremendous anchor,” said Gunn. “She brought us from next to last to third. I was impressed with that.”

Gunn is doing what she can to help Cockrum be available during track meets.

“We’re just trying to keep her healthy,” the Eddies coach said. “There might be meets that if the knee is hurting her we might back off and take her out of the 200 meters.

“It’s really frustrating because she has tremendous potential. It’s just one of those things that’s touch and go. We just take it day by day. We don’t want to do anything to make it worse. You have to sacrifice training and conditioning to help keep her healthy.”

Cockrum says that weather conditions can affect her right knee.

“When the wind is going a certain way it slows down my times, but I’ve done pretty well” she said.

Gunn says that Cockrum is one of the toughest athletes she’s ever coached and, along with good health, the Edwardsburg coach has another goal for Cockrum.

“I’d love to see her make it to state,” Gunn said.