LINWOOD — Taylor Wenner likes a good comeback story.  

The Ocean City senior is authoring a second terrific one herself. After completing her comeback from a devastating knee injury to the school’s basketball team over the winter, Wenner has staged an inspiring return to the lacrosse field. With a difference. 

“This is my first varsity season,” Wenner said. “I didn't know if I was going to be able to come back but I'm so happy to be back. I got hurt last February during basketball season. I got back right before basketball season this year and I played all basketball season and now it’s lacrosse season.” 

Wenner had varsity basketball experience, that return was an expected milestone. The combination of the lost COVID spring of 2020 plus her injury meant she never played a minute of varsity lacrosse.  

“Last year when she got hurt in basketball season, my heart broke for her,” coach Lesley Graham said. “I knew what an athlete she was in the COVID year was my first year of coaching. I think we had five days of practice. I saw a glimmer of this kid. I thought this was going to be a great defender for us. Then COVID happens and nobody gets to play. Then the next year, she tears her ACL in basketball.” 

That’s two years of varsity experience vanished. That’s not to say she wasn’t fully involved. 

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“What she contributed to our team last year as a non-player was head and shoulders above what you would expect out of a 17-year-old. She was at every practice doing what she could, whether it was warming up the goalies, collecting ground balls, keeping stats for us or helping coaching her teammates on the sidelines. She never once had that woe is me attitude. She always had an I'm here, what can I do? Attitude.” 

Now that what she can do includes actual time on the Ocean City defense, Wenner is more than grateful. 

“it's more than a blessing,” Wenner said. “It's such a great opportunity to just be out here and be with the team. You learn so many things from just sports in general that I missed out on for the past year because I wasn't playing. It's amazing.” 

Her time spent around the was as much therapy as anything. The sometimes lonely process of rehabilitation from anterior cruciate surgery is never easy. Wenner made sure to surround herself with a support system. Her ace in the hole was junior sister Madison.  

“She goes and works hard every day just like everyone else,” Wenner said. “It's great to have her on the field with me. We spent a lot of time outside throwing a lacrosse ball back and forth even with my huge knee brace.  

“We spent so much time together just like because I was recovering and didn't get to play sports. I was just bored. She really helped me pick me up.” 

Wenner is just weeks away from graduation and the end of her athletic career. She plans to study Engineering at the University of Delaware. She’s taking as much stock as she can in the meantime.  

“It's going to be sad when I leave,” Wenner said. “Don't worry. I'll be back next year. I'm definitely going to come back to games. I'm really excited to see what Madison does with her future in lacrosse. She's really into that. I'm definitely taking advantage these last few weeks with her.” =

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