Fighting through adversity

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

You see the baskets made, the smile on the face, but do we really know what athletes go through on a daily basis?

We, as fans, see what an athlete puts out on the court, or on the field. We cheer for the plays they make every time they are out there. What fans don't see is what’s going on behind closed doors. What’s going on when the light turns off and every one goes home.

Athletes deal with things just like the casual fan, but sometimes it’s hard for the fans to see that. They just see the made three-pointer, or the great defensive play.

Nardin Academy basketball player Kara Krupski was like any normal student-athlete during her freshman year. She was happy to make the basketball team as a freshman, and was hoping to contribute anyway she knew how.

During her freshman year is when Krupski was diagnosed with Alopecia. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Hair loss may occur naturally or it may be related to disease or the use of certain medications. Symptoms of alopecia vary depending on the cause of the condition and range from a small bald patch to a complete loss of all body hair.

It wasn’t something Krupski was ready to deal with, and through her own admission it broke her during her freshman year.

“If I am being so honest, until the summer going into sophomore year came, I had no idea how I handled it because I don’t think I did,” stated Krupski. “I broke my freshman year, and throughout the first few months, I never saw a way out of the storm. I thought I was going to be in a “low” forever.”

Krupski hit the lows of lows during this time. It wasn’t an easy thing to have to go through. Her confidence wavered, but she always remembered who she was as a person. That helped her get through the early stages of self doubt.

Just knowing the type of person who never gives up. The type of person who believes that God had a plan for her. Giving up isn’t in her DNA. Krupski isn’t someone who will throw in the towel just because she was dealt a blow.

She is someone who was going to attack this head on, no matter what it took.

“What kept me going was my faith and remembering what my roots are. Knowing that God had a plan was comforting, and helped me get to the mindset that I currently have,” stated Krupski. “And with my roots, I’ve never been known for giving up. In fact, the thought of giving up makes me sick to my stomach because then what have I been working for my whole life? Giving up was never an option, so the only other one was to keep working and pushing myself.”

In the early going is was wearing a beanie so people wouldn’t notice what was going on. But, that wasn’t her, hiding from something she had no control of. It felt restricted, she didn’t feel free.

Then at a tournament there was no more hats, there were no more beanies. It was just Krupski out here playing basketball. A sense of freedom came over her, and she felt like a “normal” person again.

“At first, I was terrified. I was at a national tournament, so not only are my teammates and friends seeing me like this, so are all these other talented players from around the country and college coaches,” stated Krupski. “Before the games, I felt like a burden, but the second I stepped on the court the only word I can describe that feeling is freedom. I finally felt free from the hats. I remember feeling like a normal person again in those games, which was something I hadn’t felt in a long time.”

Basketball has been her passion since she first stepped on the basketball court at a young age. But, it was this team that helped her through the most difficult time of her life. Basketball is the vehicle in which she rides in, but her friends and teammates where the ones doing the driving.

They were there for her during her freshman season. They were there putting a smile on her face every day. They weren’t there to judge, they were there to comfort and support.

“It wasn’t only the sport that drove me while going through everything, it was the team I was on at the time. I was the only freshman on a team with three sophomores, six juniors, and four seniors,” stated Krupski. “The girls were the most supportive girls through everything, and always were able to put a smile on my face every day. I owe a lot to those girls for just helping me get through every day at a time. But with basketball, it seemed like the only thing I could control at this point in time, so that gave the sport a whole new meaning to me, which I still carry with me today.”

She also has become an advocate. Over the past couple of years Krupski has been doing a lot of advocating through social media, and letters. But, last summer, she was able to bring her concerns to Washington, DC.

It was an experience she won’t ever forget. Being able to talk to congress and senators about what she has gone through, and trying to get them to pass a bill, is something that she is proud of.

“That was one of the coolest experiences I have ever been a part of. I’ve been doing a lot of advocating through social media and through letters for the past two years, but this was my first time advocating in person which was very cool,” stated Krupski.”I got to go into senators and representatives offices to meet with them about supporting the bills H. R. 4034 and S. 1922. These bills mandate insurance coverage for all wigs, and for wigs to be seen as medical equipment rather than aesthetic use only. I got to share my own story about how alopecia has affected my life and how important these bills mean to me. I felt like I was making a difference one word at a time.”

On the court, Krupski is a very talented player for Nardin. She has been steady during her time, and is seeing a breakout campaign for the Gators this winter. Krupski has put in the work this summer to be more consistent.

Consistency has alway been an issue for Krupski during her high school career, but this season has seen her become more confident in her game.

“just see my hard work from this past summer showing. Consistency has been a big issue within my high school basketball career, but this year I see it improving,” stated Krupski. “I think a lot has to do with my confidence boost this year, and just the want and drive to make my team better and to give us good chances at winning games whether that is scoring more points, or making good drives and kicks to the right shooters, or giving the ball to my big in the paint.”

Earlier this season Krupski hit the 400 point mark for her career. It’s a little milestone in the grand scheme of things, but still a great accomplishment. With everything that has gone on off the court, Krupski really hasn’t taken the time to cherish some of these moments.

But, on this occasion she did.

“It was a milestone that felt nice, especially when I haven’t felt or recognized many victories I’ve had in my high school basketball career because of everything I’d been dealing with,” stated Krupski. “I am very proud of myself, but I’m very excited about what else I can achieve in my last year.”

Every accomplishment, every heartbreak, she has done it in front of her dad, who is the varsity coach. They have a great relationship on and off the court, and it gives her a little extra motivation to do well because he is there.

There is the typical frustration at times, because well they are father and daughter. But, they both have the love of basketball in them, and it shows.

“Personally I love having my dad as my coach. It gives me more motivation to make him proud,” stated Krupski. “Although we have our moments of disagreements and frustrations, he is a great coach who only wants the best for his players and myself. We do talk about basketball a lot at home, but it is because it is something we are both passionate about we love to talk about.”

As her Nardin career starts to come to and end, Krupski looks back fondly on all the memories she has made during her four years at the school. All the friends she has made, all the ups and downs during her time.

Basketball will always be a part of her life, so will the countless friendships she made along the way.

“My basketball career at Nardin is something that I have dreamed of since I was a little kid. I hope to have left a legacy at Nardin in the basketball program. I owe a lot to my coach freshman year, Coach Janessa, for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play varsity basketball as a freshman,” stated Krupski. “The seniors that season helped me learn so much, and helped me become the player I am today. The memories are unforgettable and I am so grateful for all the people I have met along the way. I hope basketball belongs somewhere in my future, whether it is in college or even coaching when I’m older. Basketball has always meant so much more than a sport for me, and I owe that to my coaches, teammates, and Nardin basketball.”