Injury didn't stop South's Ivan Laubach in chase for javelin state title

EAST STROUDSBURG — It seems so long ago that Ivan Laubach, who just won the EPC and District 11 javelin titles in convincing fashion, almost had his final season derailed because of injury. But that was the case for the three-sport athlete from East Stroudsburg South, whose elbow caused him so much pain that he had to either limit, or cut short, his football and wrestling commitments. In the former, Laubach was the starting quarterback of the defending 5A District 11 champions, but his elbow severely limited his ability to throw, eventually forcing him to switch positions to stay on the field.

It was the same elbow that forced Laubach, who was a multi-year starter, to limit his wrestling season to nine matches before ending his run on the mat. "It was definitely a tough time," Laubach said. "With football, it was really difficult to almost sideline myself because I just wasn't able to compete at the level I wanted to, at least offensively.

I also didn't wrestle much because of it. " More: One change led South girls' 4x100 relay team to record-breaking results Fortunately, after a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, which is used to help accelerate the healing process, Laubach soon returned to full health for his primary sport, and he came out of the gates strong, throwing 188 feet and 6 inches in his first competition. He then went on to podium in every event but two, and won gold in the conference and district championships to solidify his spot as the best javelin thrower in District 11.

Despite how the overall school year started, Laubach has no regrets. "I'm not upset with how things have turned out, because it was all a process that made me strong in the end," Laubach said. South track coach Barry Krammes has taught Laubach for his entire high school career, and it was equally challenging to see one of his student-athletes go through a rough stretch.