'It could have been a lot worse': University of Iowa cheerleader Austin Beam back on court after serious neck and shoulder injury
Austin Beam, a cheerleader at the University of Iowa in Iowa, had spooked luck on January 21, 2025, during basketball practice. Against Carver-Hawkeye Arena's University of Minnesota Gophers, the game was.
While having a timeout, Beam was doing back handsprings over the court when he tripped and landed on his shoulder and neck. He was knocked out in three to five minutes. Paramedics hurried to his rescue and wheeled him away on a stretcher, wearing a neck brace. Later, doctors determined he had a severe concussion as well as a broken shoulder blade. Beam was back cheering during March Madness, even with the injury; he had put a great deal of effort into recovery.
Austin Beam recovers after falling on neck during Iowa basketball game
Austin Beam has been doing gymnastics since he was nine years old. He joined the University of Iowa cheerleading team as a freshman. Beam quickly became one of the best tumblers on the team.
Head Coach Gregg Niemiec said Beam's experience helped him avoid a worse injury.
'He's hardworking, focused and an all-around talent,' Niemiec said. 'Being an established tumbler, he tucked and rolled at the right time to avoid something worse.'
After the fall, Beam stayed home with his parents for a week to rest. His concussion and broken shoulder made even small movements painful. Slowly, he began physical therapy. First, he worked on moving his shoulder. Then, he built strength in the muscles around it. Beam said
, 'As soon as I was able to, I wanted to get back. I feel very lucky, it could have been a lot worse.'
Austin Beam also credits his team and coaches for helping him return. Assistant Coach Ashley Stahr said
, 'Our safety drills and emergency plans helped a lot.
Being prepared makes a big difference.'
His teammate Jenna Francois added,
'It was a scary moment, but seeing Austin back is amazing. He is so strong.'
Also Read:
'Trump Let This Convicted Killer Free': Martina Navratilova Criticizes Donald Trump After Venezuela Prisoner Swap
University of Iowa cheerleader
Austin Beam works hard to return for senior year
Austin Beam is now ready for his senior year at the University of Iowa. He has been practicing stunts and working out with teammates all summer. He said football season is one of his favorites because of the excitement at games. Beam explained, 'Mistakes happen, and you can get hurt. You just have to get back up and keep going.'
From a frightening fall to a strong comeback, Austin Beam's story shows his courage and determination. He is back on the court, doing what he loves, and ready to make the most of his final year cheering for the University of Iowa.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ex-India cricketer makes bold claim: ‘Rohit Sharma can play till 45'
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Former India captain Rohit Sharma (r) looks on during day three of the Fifth Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on August 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, has made a bold statement on Rohit Sharma's future, insisting that he should not think about retirement anytime soon. In fact, he went as far as to say that Rohit's class and technique are good enough to keep him going until the age of 45. At a time when questions loom over the veteran opener's longevity, the remark has reignited debate around Rohit's career span. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "The man about whom so many people speak rubbish, Rohit Sharma — I said that day that Rohit will be my man, the man, my man," Yograj told News18 CricketNext. "The way he batted, his batting on one side and the rest of the team's batting on the other side. His innings on one side and the rest of the world on the other. "That's his class. You can say, 'Rohit, aapki hume 5 saal aur zarurat hai yaar ' (Rohit, we need you for five more years, man), so please do more for your country, work on your fitness and everything. Poll Do you think Rohit Sharma should retire soon? Yes, it's time for him to retire No, he should continue playing Maybe, depending on his performance I have no opinion on this "Put four men on him, make him run 10 kilometres every morning. He has the class to play till 45 years of age, if he wants," he added. Yograj also advised Rohit to continue playing domestic cricket to keep up his fitness. "I believe you should play domestic cricket; the more you play that, the fitter you'll be. Who got the Man of the Match in the final? Rohit Sharma. "So you should only talk about things that you know. If you want to talk about his game and fitness, do that only if you have played at some level. Do you feel ashamed talking like this?" Yograj said. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Didn't brush his teeth for days': Ex-England cricketer reveals hilarious tactic used by wicketkeeper to annoy batters
Phil Tufnell and Jack Russell of England (Images via Getty Images) Former England cricketer Phil Tufnell has revealed a rather unusual tactic once used by his wicketkeeper Jack Russell to unsettle opposition batters. In a light-hearted discussion, Tufnell said Russell would deliberately avoid brushing his teeth for a couple of days before a match. 'My wicketkeeper, Jack Russell, didn't use to brush his teeth for a couple of days. He said he wanted to put the batters off when he was standing up to the crease. Lots of little shenanigans go on there,' Tufnell revealed on BBC, leaving listeners amused at the extent wicketkeepers sometimes go to in order to gain an edge. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The role of a wicketkeeper has often extended beyond just their skills with the gloves. They play a crucial part in controlling the energy on the field, especially through their chatter behind the stumps. Some use humour, some rely on constant encouragement, and others employ more unusual methods like sledging and as in this case - Russell's tactic. 29 Aug 1989: Jack Russell of England waits behind the wicket during the Sixth Ashes Test match against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London. The match ended in a draw. (Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport) West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, also part of the discussion, underlined how wicketkeepers can influence the flow of a game. 'Yeah, there are some that, when you're batting, it's just like, shut up. But as a bowler, you just love it. It brings a different energy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Click Here Undo When you have a quiet keeper, it feels like the game takes so long,' Brathwaite said, pointing to how a vocal presence can lift a bowling side's intensity. Poll How important is a wicketkeeper's chatter behind the stumps? Essential for team morale Helpful but not crucial Not important at all From playful banter to strange personal routines, wicketkeepers often find their own ways to get under a batter's skin and keep their teammates engaged. Whether it is through non-stop chatter, sharp instructions, or quirky antics, their influence goes far beyond the scorecard. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Doping bans hit athletes in multiple sports
Representational Image New Delhi: Bhupendra Singh Byadwal has become the first Indian pencak silat player in the sport's history to fail a dope test for a performance-enhancing drug. He was banned by Nada's Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) for four years. Byadwal was tested incompetition during the 9th All India Police Games (judo cluster) in Guwahati, and his urine sample returned positive for anabolic steroids. He represented the All India Police Sports Control Board in domestic competitions and won medals. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In athletics, marathoner and road-race specialist Deepak Kumbhar was banned for four years. Discus thrower Banvir Singh was sanctioned for five years. His name also appears on the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) 'Global List of Ineligible Persons,' indicating he is already serving a two-year ineligibility period until December 22, 2026 for three whereabouts failures within 12 months. Poll What is your opinion on the effectiveness of doping tests in sports? Very effective Somewhat effective Not effective Unsure In boxing, Delhi's Umesh Kumar has been banned for two years while bodybuilder Ali Kashar has been sanctioned for a maximum period of six years. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
