Gavin’s Road Back to Sports After Injury

For Gavin, the past year has been about finding his way back to the sports he loves.

A freshman at Mankato West High School, Gavin is focused on building back his strength and speed for the upcoming season hockey and baseball seasons. Getting there, however, has taken some work.

In August 2025, Gavin cracked his collarbone. A few months later, in December, he broke it again. Then in May 2026, after dealing with ongoing swelling and pain in both knees, Gavin underwent procedures on both knees with Dr. Botker.

Through each injury and every step of his recovery, Gavin has had a team helping him move forward through the Performance Lab + OFC Bridge Program.

His journey has taken him through several parts of OFC, starting with Dr. Botker, continuing through physical therapy with Meghan and Alyssa, and now into Performance Lab with Landon and the Performance Lab training staff.

“Gavin is exactly the type of athlete we love working with in the Performance Lab,” Landon said. “He has been through a lot over the past year, but he continues to show up with a smile on his face, a great attitude and a willingness to work.”

That attitude has been a constant throughout Gavin’s recovery. As he has progressed through physical therapy and into Performance Lab, the focus has shifted from recovering from injury to building the strength, movement and confidence he needs to return to his sports.

A Team Approach to Recovery

After his knee procedures in May, Gavin began physical therapy at OFC. The goal was to gradually restore his movement and strength while preparing him for the next stage of his recovery.

As he progressed, the connection between his physical therapy and training at Performance Lab helped make that transition feel more seamless.

“PT has helped me slowly and safely move onto my Performance Lab workouts to help my recovery,” Gavin said.

His mom, Amanda, has appreciated seeing the communication between the people helping Gavin throughout his recovery.

“I really appreciate that Landon and Gavin’s two PTs discuss Gavin’s progress and focus on what he needs to work on in both his PT sessions and Performance Lab workouts,” she said.

That communication helps create a bridge between rehabilitation and training. Instead of finishing physical therapy and moving directly into a completely separate program, Gavin’s progress, movement and individual needs can continue to guide what comes next.

Landon has seen the difference that approach has made for Gavin.

“What stands out to me most is how intentional he has been with learning how to move better, build strength the right way, and regain confidence in his body,” Landon said.

Building Back Strength and Confidence

Gavin originally started at Performance Lab after breaking his collarbone in December. He wanted to get back into strength training, but he also wanted a place where someone would take the time to make sure he was moving correctly.

“I needed a place that would take the time to help correct my form while helping me get stronger,” he said.

That individual attention was one of the biggest reasons Amanda felt Performance Lab would be a good fit for him.

“I felt like Performance Lab was a good fit for Gavin to be in a smaller group session to help correct his form and have a workout plan that is just built for him, not a cookie cutter plan,” she said.

Since returning to training, Gavin has already started noticing changes.

“I have noticed that I am able to start to lift heavier and my squat form has improved since I started,” he said.

Amanda has noticed the changes, too.

“Physically, I can see him getting stronger in the legs and more confident in trying new exercises since he had his surgery,” she said.

For Gavin, that confidence is an important part of the process. Coming back from an injury is not just about getting stronger. It is also about trusting your body again, learning how to move well, and continuing to build toward the demands of your sport.

More Than Just a Workout

Gavin also enjoys the environment at Performance Lab.

“I enjoy coming to work out with the trainers, and I like how they motivate me to go a little bit heavier,” he said. “I also enjoy my friends, and I can schedule our workouts together.”

For Amanda, there is another level of confidence that comes with knowing who Gavin is training with.

“In the last two months, Gavin has enjoyed walking through those doors, and I feel comfortable knowing Landon and his staff are making sure he is working through his movements with the correct form,” she said.

Landon has also seen Gavin’s willingness to put in the work.

“His progress is a great example of what can happen when physical therapy, performance training, and family support are all working together toward the same goal,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Now, Gavin’s focus is on continuing to build.

His goal is to improve his strength and speed as he prepares for the upcoming hockey season. After a year that included multiple injuries, surgery, physical therapy and a gradual return to training, he is continuing to put in the work one step at a time.

With Dr. Botker and the OFC team overseeing his care, and the Performance Lab team helping him continue building strength and athleticism, Gavin has had support throughout each stage of his return.

The goal is not simply to get athletes back to where they were before an injury.

It is to help them continue moving forward.