Conditions + Treatments
Ankle Injury
Broken Ankle
Ruptured Ligament
I grew up on the Gulf Coast in Fairhope, Alabama. Growing up, I was passionate about competing in track & field.
I attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, graduating in 2017. With lots of hard work and dedication, I was fortunate to finish as the AHSAA's 2017 Class 7A outdoor pole vault and high jump state champion, indoor pole vault state champion, and posted a personal-best score of 6,853 to win the state decathlon title my senior year.
Subsequently, I was blessed with a few offers to compete at the next level. I ultimately choose to accept an athletic scholarship from the University of Alabama. I was a proud four-year member of the Crimson Tide Track & Field team from 2018 - 2021.
I was a proud four-year member of the Crimson Tide Track & Field team from 2018 - 2021. During my time in Tuscaloosa, I was blessed to have great UA track & field coaches and teammates. I was also blessed to be named to the SEC All-Senior team in 2018, breaking the heptathlon school record three times, and earning 1st team All-American honors in 2021.
During my time in Tuscaloosa, I was blessed to have great UA track & field coaches and teammates. I was also blessed to be named to the SEC All-Senior team in 2018, breaking the heptathlon school record three times, and earning 1st team All-American honors in 2021.
While I was fortunate to garner some success in athletics, I'm prouder of my academic accomplishments at the University of Alabama. In the summer of 2021, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. I was also honored to be recognized as SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years, named a 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-American, USTFCCCA All-Academic List from 2018 through 2021.
Due to redshirting my sophomore year and a COVID year, I had two years of NCAA eligibility remaining following my graduation from The Capstone. I ultimately chose to continue my collegiate athletic and academic career at Virginia Tech University, becoming a member of the Hokies Track & Field team.
I decided to extend my collegiate athletic career into graduate school to 1) Accomplish various athletic goals I have set for myself and 2) Seize the opportunity to expand on my skills as an individual before entering the workforce. I recently completed my Master's in Leadership Studies, and I'm currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Business Analytics.
Approximately one week prior the 2022 ACC Track & Field Championships, I was practicing long jump and pole vault. I was going for the jump and put my heel out in front too far and I slipped. I bent my ankle in a weird position and I ended up fracturing it. I had 4 fractures and some ruptured ligaments and dislocated tendons. It was the worst pain I had felt in my life.
I notified my VT athletic trainers I wanted to ‘go home’ to Alabama to be treated at Andrews Sports Medicine. I was treated by foot & ankle specialist, Dr. Norman Waldrop, and he was awesome! The Andrews team of doctors are world-renowned for their knowledge and skill in helping athletes overcome their injury and successfully getting back to their sport.
Going into my surgery, Dr. Waldrop was very reassuring that he would get me back on track and through rehab. I knew with his guidance and my hard work I would be able to make it back to competition. It was a very positive experience and he was really responsive to all my questions.
My recovery process after surgery was great. I got to go home to Fairhope and stay with my parents for a while, which was refreshing. It was the first time in a while I had been home, so it was nice to spend time with family. I had the surgery a couple of months ago, and I just took it easy and worked out here and there. I was in a cast for a bit, and I started rehab approximately 1-month post-surgery
I began to regain my confidence. I’ve stayed diligent in following their instructions post-surgery and completing every rehab session assigned. As a result of their expertise and my VT athletic trainers’ assistance, my body is rebounding.
I 100% recommend Andrews Sports Medicine. The amount of expertise they have is at such a high level, and they really care about their patients. I know for my family and me, Andrews Sports Medicine was the clear choice. Everything from my first visit to my surgery was very well done. Thank you to Andrews Sports Medicine and Dr. Waldrop for getting me back on track!
Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter: @jake_spotswood
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-spots
