MOUNT VERNON – It was a homecoming celebration in the truest sense of the word. The emotional return of Delaney Rothgeb to The Hive was a very important milestone on her long and difficult road back home.
The crowning of Rothgeb as Mount Vernon’s homecoming queen at halftime brought forth many tears and a long standing ovation, which made an otherwise regular-season Ohio Cardinal Conference boys basketball matchup against Mansfield Madison on Friday, Feb. 12, anything but regular.
Rothgeb’s trip to the gymnasium where she spent so many hours practicing and playing with her volleyball teammates and friends was her first since her Sept. 18 accident and the weeks and months in the hospital that followed.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions for our kids,” Mount Vernon athletic director Justin Sanford said. “There’s so much love for Delaney in her volleyball squad, her senior class — all across the board.”
Assistant volleyball coach Lauren Townley has been close to Rothgeb and her family throughout their ordeal.
“Delaney is so determined to get back to where she was,” Townley said. “The effort that she is putting into her therapy is just immaculate. She really, really is working hard.”
Only a few of Rothgeb’s friends have been able to visit with her in the short time she has been home from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Dayne Burgess, cousin and lifelong friend of Rothgeb, dropped in the very first score of the game, which the Jackets won 51-42. Burgess scored 11 points overall — behind Hudson Rohler, who led the Jackets (5-12, 4-6) with 13 points.
Isaac Brooks led the Rams (2-13, 1-8) with 17 points.
Burgess shared the family’s excitement.
“She got to have her Senior Night and her accident happened the day after,” he said, “For her to come back, be here for my Senior Night and being homecoming queen is just like bringing it all together in just one great, perfect night. It’s really great to have her back.”
Volleyball teammate Cora Lepley was also part of the homecoming court.
“Our class didn’t forget about her,” Lepley said. “It’s just really awesome that she gets to come here and is able to be here with us. I’ll cherish this moment forever. Never take anything for granted.”
Stella Bainbridge was also a member of the court. She and Lepley have been close friends of Rothgeb for years. Sharing homecoming was a dream they had for a long time.
“She has wanted this forever,” Bainbridge said. “Never take anything for granted.”
Friday was a big step, but it was only the latest one on Rothgeb’s journey.
“It’s not the end of the story,” Sanford said. “We want her to walk across the stage and walk across the floor (at graduation). We know that she may be in a wheelchair, but it’s still the same Delaney; and we’re going to keep fighting and praying and pulling for her to keep recovering.”
