SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The moment stands as one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2018-19 Augustana Athletic season, and it's now been honored by the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association. After tearing her ACL in January, women's basketball student-athlete Shelby Selland returned to the court just a month after her injury. 

On Wednesday, the SDATA honored Selland and Athletic Trainer Sara Bortscheller with the annual Iron Will award, which serves to honor an outstanding athlete who successfully returned to competition following a serious athletic injury. It also serves to honor the certified athletic trainer who played a major role in working with the athlete.

Selland tore her anterior cruciate ligament on Jan. 4, 2019, playing at Southwest Minnesota State. Normally a nine-month recovery, with the guidance and help of Bortscheller, Selland returned to the court on Feb. 9, 2019, just five weeks after her injury. The Letcher, S.D. native came back to play in all eight remaining games for the Vikings, averaging more than 10 points and six rebounds per game.

Bortscheller was instrumental in helping Selland get back on the court in just four weeks, and is honored to receive the award. 

"Shelby is a true demonstration of what it means for a student-athlete to persevere through challenges," Bortscheller said. "From day one after her injury she was working to get back to playing, even when many thought it would be impossible. She's why I love my job. To see athletes return back to playing when all odds are against them."

Selland has since graduated with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in math and accounting. Bortscheller continues to work with numerous Viking athletic program, including the 2019 DII Softball National Champion Augustana softball team.

About the SDATA:

The SDATA is a professional organization of certified athletic trainers in the state of South Dakota. As District V members of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), we support the mission of the NATA: to enhance the quality of health care for the athletic population through education and research in prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries.