Howarth Recovers, Reunites with Former Coach

By: Mikayla Vielot

CORAL GABLES, Fla.- Midway through the 2010 season, Forward Kate Howarth collided with an opponent in a play that abruptly ended her sophomore year. Now a junior, the Canes’ leading scorer is back in full force and reunited with her former high school coach to lead the Canes this fall.

A year ago, Howarth started nine out of the first 10 games. In the conference opener against Florida State, a hit by another player left her with a broken fibula and dislocated ankle.

“When it first happened I didn’t really believe it was happening,” Howarth said. “When I got hit I heard it snap and I knew I was done for the year. I had something that takes weeks and weeks and weeks to heel but it was actually worse than they thought it was.”

This was Howarth’s first major injury in her career that would require her to miss a game.

“It was just a hard injury to have to go through, especially 10 games into the season,” Howarth said. “We felt we were on our way up and then I got hit and it was all downhill from there.”

But her team was supportive and continued to work hard, finishing the season with a winning record. She credits her teammates’ positive attitudes and team unity for their ability to continue playing together the rest of the way.

Howarth underwent three surgeries before beginning rehab over the summer. With a healed bone but torn ligaments, She endured three months of nonstop stability exercises and was cleared just before the start of preseason in August.

While the season may be underway, the rehabilitation process has not stopped. She meets daily with the team’s athletic trainer, but still endures pain, especially during pre-game warmups.

With six games under her belt in 2011, she leads the team with five goals and 13 points, but knows she can do better.

“No matter what is put in front of me I’m still going to work hard through it,” said Howarth. “Whether its rehab or doing whatever I can to play.”

Hailing from Grand Blanc, Mich., Howarth ironically played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Powers Catholic High School under the new Hurricanes head coach Tom Anagnost. While her playing style has stayed the same, Anagnost is proud of the growth she has made as a person.

“One of the more rewarding things of being a coach is watching a girl become a woman,” said Anagnost. “Watching them grow up as people. I’ve seen a lot of that from her.”

Never backing down from a challenge, Howarth is a back-to-goal player, unlike most. She makes plays and Anagnost says she may be the best back-to-goal player he has ever coached.

With the ACC opener Thursday night at home against Clemson, Anagnost knows his team has faced enough adverse situations to prepare itself for the tough game that lies ahead. All he asks of Howarth is to keep up the good work.

“She’s been working really hard in practice and getting others to do the same,” added Anagnost. “Just continue putting them in the bucket and scoring goals.”