Everything was proceeding as planned for Westfield junior wide receiver David Kruchko. In the first three games of this season, his chemistry with junior QB Mike Glennon was obvious. Kruchko was making big plays weekly and the Bulldogs were winning.
It all changed in an instant on Sept. 21 at Langley.
On a simple blocking play a Saxons player crashed into Kruchko’s right leg, snapping his tibia and fibula. He was immediately taken from the field by ambulance and, after complications developed, spent 16 days in the hospital. Almost two months later he has yet to return to school after enduring “one of the worst injuries I’ve seen in over 20 years of coaching,” said Westfield coach Tom Verbanic.
Kruchko has been in a wheelchair since leaving the hospital. Almost immediately after the injury he developed Compartment Syndrome, a severe swelling of the blood vessels and nerves that can develop after a severe trauma injury. He endured five surgeries in all during his hospital stay, including a skin graft that finally helped doctors overcome the Compartment Syndrome and close the wound in his leg.
“It has been hard. I’ve missed a lot of school and it hurts not being on the field with my teammates,” Kruchko said. “But I’m glad I have enough people around me who never let me feel sorry for myself. I know I’ll be back out there next year playing again.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver caught 12 passes for 195 yards and four TDs in just three full games for the unbeaten and fourth-ranked Bulldogs (10-0), who face Annandale tonight in a Division 6 Northern Region semifinal. Doctors told him on Wednesday that within a week or two he can finally return to school and begin using crutches.
Kruchko’s teammates have kept him involved in Westfield’s magical season. They presented him with a signed game ball after the win over Centreville and his coaches even took him to the school’s Homecoming Dance, making sure to keep crowds away so nobody bumped his leg.
“David was such a big part of this team and I think it’s important for all of us that he know that,” said Westfield junior defensive back Tucker Karl. “When the injury happened we had no idea how serious it was or what he’d have to go through. He’s the type of kid who gets along with everyone.”
Healing process
» While missing school because of his broken leg, Kruchko has teachers from Fairfax County Public School’s Homebound Tutors program stop by his house throughout the week for make-up work in his English, History, Physics, and Trigonometry classes.
» Kruchko has maintained a sense of humor about his homebound status while his leg heals. “It does get really boring. I even read a book at one point. And I look forward to rehab and to doctors visits probably more than I should.”
» Kruchko visits a rehabilitation center in Reston three times a week. Each session lasts more than two hours as he works to strengthen his leg muscles and improve the range of motion in his knee and ankle.
