Sunday, October 31, 1999
NORTHERN KENTUCKY INSIDER
Vieth fights pain in final season
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Katie Vieth is Kentucky basketball's bittersweet senior. The small-school girl has lived a dream, having helped the Wildcats rise to national prominence, but now sees her swan song sullied by persistent pain.
Severe shin splints have left the St.Henry grad's senior season in jeopardy. She continues five hours of therapy daily, hoping to return before it's too late.
“People say adversity builds character,” she said. “I've built lots of character lately.”
Midway through last season, the 6-foot-3 center began suffering from the pain in her legs. She missed four games and averaged only 9.3 minutes a game.
The Wildcats soared, exceeding 20 victories for the first time in nine years (21-11) and winning an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in 17 years. Vieth, who averaged 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds, overcame her pain to score five points in each of UK's two NCAA games.
“The pain (last season) was pretty excruciating,” Vieth said. “When I'd walk or run, it felt like someone was taking a blunt object and jabbing me in the shins.”
She didn't get better with rest. It was later determined the pain was a severe strain of her posterior tibia muscles — running from the shin to the ankle — and Vieth underwent surgery in April on both legs to relieve swelling.
“This is the worst lower leg pain I've ever seen in an athlete,” said Amy Plas, UK's women's athletic trainer. “But Katie has had a wonderful attitude.”
Vieth wears air casts on both shins and, despite a setback in July, has rehabbed to where she estimates she is 50 to 65 percent recovered. She hopes to begin practice in the next two weeks and be back for UK's third game, Nov.24 against Connecticut.
“I can't wait to get her back,” coach Bernadette Mattox said. “She's going to give us that inside presence, that big, physical body. She's probably our best defender in the inside.”
Vieth was a starter her freshman year, averaging 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. But then she slipped in the rotation as UK added top-notch recruits, totaling barely as many minutes the past two seasons as she had in her first year.
Teammates have lauded Vieth for adjusting to her lessened role.
“Katie's one of the toughest players we've ever had,” junior forward Laura Meadows said. “She's such a leader, especially on the defensive end. She's proud to do whatever she can.”
Said Vieth: “I guess I figured out what my role is. If I can contribute, even if it's only five minutes — get as many rebounds as I can or stop someone from scoring — if that helps our team win, that's what I want to do.”
UK had endured five straight losing seasons before last year. With all five starters back, the Wildcats are likely to be ranked in preseason.
“It's exciting,” Vieth said. “I came from a small (high) school, and it's really neat to play for a Division I school that's getting better every year. I'm proud to know we've helped build this program up.”
Neil Schmidt is The Enquirer's Northern Kentucky sports reporter. Call him at 578-5582 or send e-mail to nschmidt@enquirer.com.
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