Playing Hurt: Girls profit in life skills from overcoming injuries

Ask almost any female athlete what she gets out of playing her sport and she will not hesitate with an answer. Gymnast Tana Wangsness quickly replies, "It teaches you time management."

Goldwater High School senior volleyball and softball player (and straight A student) Torrie Elmore manages, "Do your homework on the bus, do your homework at the other schools."

Gymnast parent Molly Buzzuto has a rapid fire response, "Determination, coordination, friendships." Her daughter Tyly also cites time management, "You know you have to get something done because you don't want to stay up late after gym."

Goldwater High School senior soccer and softball player Tina Salsburg laughs, "A lot of team work, being able to work with other people."

There are many common threads that become apparent as you talk to these young women.

Gymnast Maddie McKenzie bounces on her toes. They find confidence in themselves that can be elusive to teenage girls. Mental Toughness Coach Doctor Alison Arnold works with many 'tween and teen girls. She builds up the mental game of Olympic bound gymnasts and figure skaters on Team USA. "Teenage girls, it is so important you feel good about your body, that you feel like you are strong and when you are doing a sport, you get reinforcement over and over again that THIS IS MY BODY."

Tana Wangsness can flip her body through the air like a leaf being pushed by a fall breeze

"You learn what you can do and what you can't do and what you can go for, you have to trust yourself and trust your coaches," Wangsness said.

Tana's mother, Janel, sees another aspect

"Of course being exposed to really strong great coaches, especially me as a parent I am very grateful for, especially strong women mentors. All of our girls need that in today's society," she said.

They are growing to understand teamwork and supporting one another. Dr. Arnold explains why girls do this better than boys in the teen years

"We know that girls are more relational than boys and the relationships and feed back you get from your peers is so important."

Torrie Elmore is taking a break between games during a volleyball tournament and looks upon her teammates.

"All of these girls know I have had knee back and hip problems and they have been there for me every step of the way."

They are learning about winning, losing and overcoming pain and fear. Tina Salsburg had to spend a season in the dugout as the softball team manager and miss some of the soccer season because of a serious knee injury. She finally got to return to the field.

"I was scared, I was scared I lost it, I had to retrain myself to do a lot of things and do it correctly so I don't have a problem again," Salsburg said.

Long after they have kicked their last soccer ball or dismounted the balance beam for the final time, these qualities will carry on in these young women. Janel Wangsness has one last addition: "Plus the number of hours they spend in the gym definitely keeps them too busy to find bad things that are out there around every corner."