UI Golden Girl determined to perform at season opener despite foot injury

Fall is right around the corner and as such, football hysteria is spreading in Iowa City -- clothing is flying out of stores, marching band is practicing and football fans are  longing to hear AC/DC's "Back in Black" blaring from Kinnick Stadium to signal the start of first home football game of the season.

While it seems that the community's excitement may be similar to years past, one integral part of the  "Hawkeye game-day" experience will be missing  on September 3 --  the University of Iowa Golden Girl, Chelsea Russell, will not be leading the University of Marching Band out onto the field due to injury.

"Getting ready for the 'boom' to take the marching band out [on the field] is my favorite part of the games," Russell said. "This is my last year as the Golden Girl and I'm heartbroken that I won't be able to do it for the home opener."

A native of  Williamsville, N.Y., Russell, 21*

,says that she was born pigeon-toed, uncoordinated, and unlikely to follow in the footsteps of her successful baton-toting mother and coach, Kelli Russell.

"My mom didn't really want me to twirl [at first]," Russell said. "She finally took me under her wing once she found out I was serious about twirling -- I wouldn't be where I am without her."

Dedication to the sport and innumerable hours of practice ultimately paid off for Russell as she went on to win competitions around the globe. She became the Golden Girl upon her arrival at the University as a Freshman in 2007.  Now a graduate student, this football season will be her last.

"There is also way too much talent out there for me to keep going on being the Golden Girl," Russell said.

Known for leaping her way to the fifty yard line in a golden sequined outfit and taking the band on the field at the beginning of each home game, Russell severely fractured her right foot after landing on it incorrectly during a competition June 18.

Initially misdiagnosed with a sprain, Russell found out bad news -- she had a Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone, located at the base of her small toe, that would continue to cause her pain, swelling and difficulty walking if left untreated.

"It [a Jones fracture] is a fairly common stress fracture because of a lack of blood supply to the area," University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics orthopedic surgeon Annunziato Amendola, MD, said. "Generally the injury should heal within 8 to 12 weeks."

After being placed in a cast for three weeks and showing no signs of progress towards healing, Russell went under the knife to correct the fracture on July 9. After surgery she was placed into a weight-bearing walking boot until July 27.

Russell began to walk and place weight on the foot slightly over a week ago. Although she now has a slight limp and must move slowly, Russell says she has received a great deal of support from those around her and the foot is causing her minimal pain.

"They [the marching band] has taken to calling me 'Weebles' because Weebles may wobble but they don't fall over," Russel laughed. "So far everyone has been wonderful and I've been doing a lot [of physical therapy exercises] to get rid of my limp."

Until Russell's healing progresses, alternate plans will be made for her pre-game entrance and half-time performances. The musical portion of the marching band's performance will not be altered due to Russell's injury, University of Iowa Marching Band Director Kevin Kastens said.

"The marching band can perform with or without the Golden Girl or Drum Major [Joe Piasecki] if necessary, but I know the crowd would miss them tremendously," Kastens said.

Although Russell expects her injury to improve over the next several months, but it is currently unknown whether she will be able to do jumps, leaps or run on the field at Kinnick any time in the near future.

"Being the Golden Girl is a honor that I take very, very seriously -- I've always given 150 percent to this University," Russell said. "I will give the best show I can [on September 3] whether I can walk or not."

*Russell turns 22 on Sunday, August 28.