Bartnik Battles Back from Injuries

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Nov. 12, 2014

Story by Lexi Diederich

After combating at least seven stress-related bone injuries since 2011, Minnesota Gopher men's cross country junior Aaron Bartnik is now one of Minnesota's top runners.

The road to the top hasn't been easy, though.

From the moment that Bartnik donned Maroon & Gold on his home state's campus, he had already suffered two serious stress fractures, and they would only continue for his first two years with the Gophers. In spring 2013, Bartnik had to consider taking a step back from the team.

"If I would've had another [injury], I would've seriously considered it," Bartnik said of quitting the team. "Thankfully, that was the time that I figured out what was wrong with me and I was able to stay healthy. I wanted to give it one more go."

The "one more go" paid off. Bartnik was able to work with coaches, training staff, the athletic medicine department and TRIA Orthopedics to alter his stride. By running less bouncy and more efficiently, the bones in his feet were happier. With this new stride, confidence and health, Bartnik ran in the 2013 Fall Finale and won his first collegiate race.

"I finally started feeling like myself out there running and competing," Bartnik said of the Fall Finale win. "I was really excited, and that momentum carried me into the season. It was a really big stepping stone for what I've been able to accomplish this season as well."

During the current season, Bartnik has led the Gophers in all four races he's ran. Finishing seventh in the Big Ten Championships with a personal best of 23:52.6, Bartnik became Minnesota's first First Team All-Big Ten honoree since 2010. With many of Minnesota's top runners graduating last year, Bartnik has stepped up to succeed at a crucial time for the team.

This drive to succeed for the team is what motivated Bartnik to keep pushing through his injuries. Not only that, but he also wanted to explore how much he could push the limits.

"There's something about just improving and seeing how far I can push myself," Bartnik said. "I had no idea my freshman year where I could go with my running career; if I could be the best on the team, best in the Big Ten or even one of the best in the nation."

Now, clear of injuries for the last 15 months, Bartnik will face the NCAA Midwest Regional on Nov. 14. This is his time to prove that he is, in fact, one of the best in the nation.

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