Junior Jimmy Brannon first started playing tennis when he was 5 years old with his family.-áAt Oak Hills High School in Ohio, Brannon holds the record for most matches won in the No. 1 singles position.
So when he decided to attend Ball State University to play men's tennis, he never thought he would see his first spring action his junior season. However, an injury in the fall of his freshman season sidelined him for almost two years.
"It is a very hard thing for an athlete to go through, to basically miss the first two years," coach Bill Richards said.
When Brannon entered his freshman season, he started noticing problems with his elbow. Brannon played during the fall season of his freshman year, and then he said his "arm shut down."-áThe doctors told Brannon that he had problems with his radius and ulna, and the nerves around them.-á He did not play the rest of the season so he could rest his arm.
"He tried to rehab the injury without surgery and that didn't work," Richards said.
The next season, 2005-2006, Brannon thought his arm was well enough to play again. His arm had the same problems, though. The Ball State training staff told the sophomore, something needed to be done. Brannon had surgery Dec. 29, 2005, and was red-shirted so he could have an extra year of eligibility.
Now, to help restore his arm, Brannon visits the trainer every day. Richards is also trying to help Brannon's arm recover.-á
Brannon played in doubles matches until just recently, and now he just plays singles. When the MAC Tournament comes around Brannon hopes to play both singles and doubles, because that is when everything counts.-á
"Coach Richards is trying to make sure I don't overwork it," Brannon said.
Brannon is thankful for all the help he has received from the training staff and the cooperation Richards has shown.-á
"I would like to thank my trainers Neal Hazen and Nobutaka Takashima and also Coach Richards for working with me," Brannon said.-á
Brannon and the Ball State men's tennis team will be in action Saturday starting at 1 p.m. against Eastern Kentucky at the YMCA Tennis Center in Muncie.
In ActionBall State vs. Eastern Kentucky
TIME1 p.m. Saturday
VENUEYMCA Tennis Center
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