Though fifth-year senior thrower Emily Leklem is struggling to recover from a shoulder injury, she is preparing for the outdoor track and field season with high hopes.
Leklem started her track and field career at Marquette as a freshman in 2001-'02. From the beginning, she greatly added to the team. During her first indoor season, Lecklem set the Marquette freshman record in the shot put at the C-USA Championships with a throw of 46-7.5.
Then in 2004 Leklem set a school outdoor record in the shot put at the NCAA Regionals with a distance of 48-10, a feat head coach Dave Uhrich considers her greatest accomplishment so far.
Leklem now serves as a captain and strives to bring a positive attitude to the team.
"I think that I tend to lead by example," Leklem said. "And when my teammates need a vocal reminder, I'm not afraid to speak up. I encourage my teammates to step it up and do their personal bests. I try to get them to go beyond their goals. I have faith in them so that they will have faith in themselves."
Although an outstanding athlete and team captain, Leklem's victories have not come at an easy price. A constant victim of injury, Leklem strives to maintain an enthusiastic mind-set in times of difficulty.
Sophomore year, Leklem struggled with shoulder and ankle injuries and red-shirted both seasons. And during the 2005-'06 indoor season, Leklem battled a finger injury. Despite this setback, Leklem earned seventh place in shot put with a throw of 46-1 1/4 feet and scored Marquette two points at the 2006 Big East Indoor Championships.
"She has had a surprisingly good attitude considering all the different injuries and surgeries that she has gone through, and that's probably what has impressed me the most," Uhrich said.
"She has stayed as a team leader throughout all this. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged when things are not going as well for you, but she has always kept a positive attitude and been there for the team."
Although injuries have sometimes prevented Leklem from reaching her potential, she has always stayed upbeat.
"With every injury, I've looked at it as that God has something for me to learn," Leklem said. "There is always a lesson. Sometimes it is to be more patient and other times it is to find the directions for a different path."
Right now, Leklem focuses on recovering from a shoulder injury that developed two weeks ago. She balances rehab sessions and track practices to stay on top of her goals.
As Leklem gets healthy and prepares for the outdoor season, she hopes to break 50 feet in the shot put and qualify for Nationals.
"Hopefully I will be able to pick up where I left off last season and go from there," Leklem said. "I always am looking to improve myself and get better in track and field."