This isn’t the role Maddie Eichinger hoped to be playing as the College of Saint Benedict dance team prepares for this weekend’s Universal Dance Association’s College National Championships at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
But the sophomore from Forest Lake is making the best of the situation she finds herself in.
Eichinger — who was chosen as one of the Bennies’ team captains this season — tore the anterior cruciate ligament and both menisci in her right knee during practice last September.
“The season was just getting started,” Eichinger recalls. “It was actually during a practice I’d designed. I was going across the floor and did a combo. I was feeling great, like I was already peaking. Then I landed and went down. I immediately knew something was wrong.
“It was really disappointing. My teammates carried me down to the trainer’s room. I didn’t cry when I fell, but as soon as they got me into the elevator, I choked up and started sobbing. Not because of how bad my knee hurt, but because I knew I was done for the season. I’m the kind of person who likes to think everything happens for a reason. But I couldn’t see the reason at that moment.”
After a visit to the doctor the following day, Eichinger underwent surgery that kept her away from campus for two weeks. She then spent six weeks on crutches, and her rehabilitation process is still underway.
She said it was hard to watch her teammates continuing in her absence at first while she was left to ponder what might have been. Still, she didn’t miss a practice — even Zooming in during the two weeks she was away from school following her surgery.
“I was looking so forward to this season,” she said. “I got hurt in September before we’d even learned our routine for nationals. The first couple of weeks afterward were when all the anger and frustration set in. It was hard to come to practice and watch my teammates dance when I couldn’t be out there with them.
“But after a couple weeks, I started to realize I could still be a team leader, and I began to fully embrace that role.”
That has included doing a lot of the background work needed to set up mailings and fundraisers, while also helping the coaching staff and being there to motivate her teammates.
“I’ve actually been able to get a different perspective on things,” she said. “When you’re watching a routine, you see things that you don’t pick up when you’re in formation. I think that will make me a better dancer in the long run.”
In the meantime, she’s earned the admiration of her head coach.
“She’s been such a great motivator for her teammates — she’s helped keep everyone in high spirits,” CSB coach Kate Williams said. “I know it’s been hard for her because she wants to be dancing with the team. But she’s continued to come to every practice. She’s stayed positive and focused on the bigger picture. She wants to see everyone succeed.
“(The injury) was really unfortunate, but she’s made the best of it. That’s been amazing to see. She’s such an awesome person.”
Eichinger — an exercise and health science major — said the experience she’s going through now will also likely help as she prepares for a future career in physical therapy.
“I definitely will know what it’s like to be on this side of it, that’s for sure,” she said. “I think that will help improve my ability to relate to patients.”
Eichinger said she is on pace to dance again next season. Before that, though, she plans to do everything in her power to help CSB build on last year’s seventh-place finishes in its division in both the pom and jazz competitions at nationals this weekend.
The Bennies compete their jazz routine at 2:08 p.m. (CST) Friday and their pom routine at 3:06 p.m. (CST) Saturday. Those interested in following along can find a link to stream the competition here.
“I’m excited to go down there,” she said. “It’s going to be different to not be dancing. But I still get to be part of all the fun things our team is going to do.
“And I’m going to be right there cheering everyone on when they get out on the floor.”
