Do not mistake the gentle tone of her voice for anything other than Assumption track standout Kelly Grobstich speaks softly.
Competitively, it is the only thing soft about her.
The decorated Assumption Catholic High School track star is fierce, determined and laser focused.
And now, she is a state track meet podium veteran.
The star sprinter is fresh off Iowa Class 3A third place finishes in the ultra-competitive 100-and-200-meter dashes, respectively, and a fourth in the 400-meters, all accomplished at the Iowa girls’ state championships. In addition to starring individually, Grobstich also qualified for the 4×400-meter relay.
Time was, despite her grit and determination, competitive doubt circled the outgoing and upbeat Assumption senior-to-be.
It was November of 2022, and Grobstich had just completed a flip, doing her part as a member of the ultra-successful Knight Company Dance Team. Upon landing, she felt something give in her left knee. Always the competitor, Grobstich fished the routine, but knew there was trouble.
The result was a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Surgery ensued.
Post-surgery, Grobstich turned to a trusted ally in Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Amanda Fennelly, PT, DPT, to handle all that was her rehabilitation.
The bonus to Grobstich benefitting from Fennelly’s care, knowledge, and compassion as a tremendous therapist, is she doubles as the assistant girls’ track coach at Assumption. Fennelly starred on the track at Assumption and the Division I level at University of Northern Iowa.
If anyone has a firm grasp on what makes Grobstich tick, it is Fennelly.
“I trust her with everything,’’ Grobstich said of Fennelly. “She knows what she is doing, and she understands me. If there was a positive to what I had to deal with it was knowing she (Fennelly) was there with me. Amanda challenged me every day. It was tough, but Amanda was huge for me. I am not a fan of standing around watching. Like everyone I wanted it (the knee) to be fixed in a hurry, so that was hard, but thanks to Amanda I kept my focus.’’
The road to the state finals’ podium or to qualify for such a prestigious in-season event as the Drake Relays, is never easy. But the weekly rehab sessions at Rock Valley’s Northwest Boulevard (Davenport, Iowa) clinic, paid huge dividends for Grobstich.
“Amazing in her approach,’’ Fennelly said of Grobstich. “She was willing to work exceptionally hard to get back. There was the work, the physical side of things, but Kelly worked hard to stay mentally tough. She answered every challenge we laid out for her. And there were many.’’
For Fennelly, an Assumption alum, the bonus to helping Grobstich get to the podium comes in layers. She loves her therapist post and appreciates that she can handle the dual role.
“I have nothing but gratitude for the opportunity to do both,’’ Fennelly, modest to a fault, said. “(Northwest clinic manager) Kelly Kersten, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC/L, encouraged me to do it and has been amazing in all of this.”
“So have (head girls track coach) Tim O’Neill and (assistant) Jacob Moylan and (athletic director) Wade King,’’ added Fennelly, who also coaches cross country at Assumption.
“Everyone knows my first responsibility is as a therapist and I am a part-time coach. They know I have two days a week I work late in the clinic and those are days I miss practice, but it all works. It is an honor and privilege work for Rock Valley Physical Therapy and to coach at Assumption.’’
Despite all the work to return, the assurances that things would go well, Grobstich still had to compete. She had to put her feet in the blocks and run each race.
At a prominent level.
“No nerves (in her first meet after injury),’’ Grobstich said of a January 2024 indoor event. “I trusted my body and all the work we had put in to get back. It was such a long recovery; I was just ready to run. My teammates were excited for me and my coaches were excited for me. I just had to do it.’’
While Grobstich admitted to calm, Fennelly said there were nerves at every stop along the way.
Good nerves.
“I had butterflies the first time she put her feet in the blocks, I had butterflies at Drake and at the state meet,’’ Fennelly said. “But she took over. I was so proud of her, especially seeing her on the podium at the state meet.’’’
Grobstich, who will compete this summer – independently – at a national meet in North Carolina – is excited for more.
“It was an amazing experience, but there is more I want to accomplish,’’ said Grobstich, who has yet to make a college choice, but says he would love to compete in track at the next level.
The injury and all that came with it has provided some clarity on Grobstich’s career path.
“I see all the good that goes with being a physical therapist and it has moved me to want that as a career,’’ she said. “I want to make a difference and it’s a field where you can have a positive impact on lots of people.’’
It is a path Fennelly believes would be perfect for Grobstich.
“I love that she has a desire to become a physical therapist,’’ Fennelly said. “She understands. She is bright, determined, and compassionate. I believe it would be a great path for her career.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller