‘She can even coach them.’ GymDog Rachel Dickson speaks out on recovery, new role

Rachel Dickson knelt at the edge of the podium, her focus fixed on her teammates warming up Saturday evening. Feedback and encouragement came as if this were the Georgia senior gymnast’s job.

Each time she moved, a staff member rushed to her leg scooter and asked what she needed. Nothing, carry on. Someone offered Dickson a chair on multiple occasions, but she wouldn’t sit down. It didn’t feel right. She rested her arms over her scooter while clapping and being the loudest voice of support. Not once would Dickson waver from full engagement with her teammates.

Nearly three weeks have passed since an extensive operation to repair a torn Achilles and broken medial malleolus. Now, Dickson has embraced her role as a leader in a different light. There’s a passion that resonates for gymnastics and her team. Dickson doesn’t miss practices for rehab sessions, and the lone meet missed this season came on the day of surgery.

“Her presence gives them confidence,” said former GymDog Sydney Snead, who is one of Dickson’s closest friends. “She’s done this for so long to where she can even coach them. She can give them tips, and voicing that experience is the ultimate boost.”

Dickson, over a five-hour span which included warmups, a full competition, awards and autographs, acted as if the injury didn’t exist. It didn’t matter to her -- the sport did. A chance to be a friend, teammate and biggest fan did. She’d say a gymnast was “solid as a rock” during practice runs and yell that freshman Loulie Hattaway was “beautiful” while competing on uneven bars.

Head coach Courtney Kupets Carter, who suffered two Achilles tears as a gymnast, knows it’ll get hard. A few tough moments were evident while attending her first home meet vs. Iowa State, but her true personality returned during the Metroplex Challenge. Time and time again, it became evident. Dickson still makes the GymDogs tick.

“We’re not the same without her,” fellow senior Sabrina Vega said. “You know that she wants to literally rip her leg off, get a new one and do her gymnastics. It’s a moment where you think ‘this routine is for me, but it’s also for you too.’”

For the first time since the injury, Dickson spoke briefly — while still standing on one leg — on her recovery process and approach after the injury. Here’s a Q&A of her interview with The Telegraph which has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

You are here after traveling with your team for the second time post-injury. You’re used to being out there warming up with your teammates. As you watch over to the side, what runs through your mind?

DICKSON: I said it best today in our team meeting. I have people come up to me nonstop and ask ‘How are you still doing this?’ or ‘How do you go out there and cheer them on?’ It’s all because of these girls. It’s so inspiring to do what you love. For me, having it kind of stripped away, I’m living vicariously through them. I believe in every single one of them, and it’s so amazing to cheer them on. It makes me keep going.

This injury happened two days prior to the season starting. How have you coped with the injury so far?

RD: At the beginning, you’re really sad and in the denial phase. I felt like my world was ending. I felt like my year was over. I spoke to many people and had so many reach out in support. It has been incredible. I think I was able to pick myself and get on my two feet again because of it. I’ve realized that this is just a step in my path, and I have to kick down the door and walk through it. I’ll make it, and it’s important to realize that God does things for a reason.

At times, though, it has had to be tough. Where have you faced struggle?

RD: It hasn’t been easy. It’s hard that I’m not out there competing for this team. I know those girls are. I think it’s important to realize that each girl has given 100 percent for me.

Has there been a moment where you’ve seen this different role of influencing pay off?

RD: They had a meet (vs. LSU) the day I had surgery and I sent them a video from my bed. A minute-long clip basically said ‘You’ve got this. I’m so proud of you.’ I think it’s a big influence to see someone who has had it all taken away, but still cheering them on and knowing they can do it.

Entering your senior season, what were you looking forward to the most?

RD: I was looking forward to the leadership the most. I think I can still do that, and it’s important to know I bring that in a different aspect. That’s through my words and my presence. I know that can help take this team far.

SUDGE: Have you evaluated the thought of returning for a fifth season yet?

RD: It has definitely been a thought, but I haven’t made any decisions. I’m still living in the present and taking things meet-by-meet. It’s something I’m not sure about yet, so I can’t give a clear answer. It is in my head.

This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 3:25 PM with the headline "‘She can even coach them.’ GymDog Rachel Dickson speaks out on recovery, new role."