Prep notebook

By Matt Patterson

Published: November 20, 2007

MIDWEST CITY — Midwest City wrestler Richard Immel is out for the season after the senior suffered a broken femur Saturday during the Midwest City Open.

The injury occurred when an opponent tried to hook Immel's leg, a common wrestling move. The weight of Immel and his opponent's body was absorbed by Immel's femur as the pair fell to the mat. The impact created enough pressure to break the bone.

"I could tell something bad was about to happen, and I turned my head and heard a loud pop,” Midwest City coach Jody Marple said. "It happened so quickly there was nothing anyone could have done to stop it.”

Marple said the graphic nature of Immel's injury stunned those in attendance.

"The whole place got quiet,” he said. "It shot chills down my spine. I've never heard of anyone breaking their femur in wrestling.”

Marple said Immel, a 4.0 student, had a rod inserted in his thigh to stabilize the bone and will be on crutches for at least 10 weeks. Marple said Immel is fortunate in one respect. The broken bone didn't sever his femoral artery, a common risk with serious trauma to the femur.

Immel had been thought of as a potential starter in the Bombers' lineup at 140 pounds. He had wrestled well over the summer.

"This was the year we felt like he could step it up and get into the lineup,” Marple said. "This is something we can use as motivation throughout the year. We have to appreciate the opportunities we have to compete because you never know when they're going to be gone.”

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