Student-Athlete of the Week-Adeline Spencer

It has been an adversity-filled but ultimately fruitful journey at Niwot for girls basketball senior Adeline Spencer. Through undergoing knee surgery during her sophomore year and now navigating a pandemic season, Spencer has learned the value of perseverance sooner than most.

Even more, her lone season on varsity this winter has been derailed with hip and leg issues. Spencer said she will be having hip arthroscopy surgery followed by a derotational femoral osteotomy procedure once the season ends.

"It's been difficult, mostly just because emotionally I feel like I'm able to do everything, but physically I just can't," Spencer said. "It makes it a little bit frustrating just having to sit back on some things or have to not participate as much, which is always difficult, and I don't like feeling like that. But I'm grateful that I get to play at all through all the things that I've had to deal with."

The term "perseverance" came to mind for head coach Terri Ward when describing Spencer.

"The fact that she actually is able to even practice and then been able to get on the floor for some minutes has been remarkable," Ward said.

With limited playing time due to her injuries, Spencer has averaged just under one point per game but has appeared in all 12 of Niwot's games through Feb. 28. Before basketball, her high school career featured a stint on Niwot's cross country team during her sophomore year and a season-plus with junior varsity soccer prior to requiring knee surgery.

Sports have always surrounded Spencer's life and it will be an emotional week as Niwot concludes its season at home on Friday.

"It's pretty sad to not have the part of my life that I'm used to in high school that's leaving so soon," Spencer said. "But I look back on my memories of high school really fondly and I loved my experience at Niwot. It's sad but I'm also grateful for the time that I've had."

Spencer added that she is thankful her family can attend these final games after being on the outside for most of the season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Upon graduation, she hopes to attend college, preferably on a coast, to study criminal justice and psychology.