In the 2A state football playoffs, junior Roman Black took a helmet to the thigh. He suffered a deep bruise. A painful setback, but nobody suspected the events that followed because of the injury.
Black's contusion developed into what is called Compartment Syndrome. The relatively unknown condition is something that develops in traumatized areas of muscle tissue. The result is too much pressure builds up and does not allow the proper nourishment to the muscle cells. The area of muscle in which this occurs is called a compartment. If untreated, it can cause paralysis, loss of the limb or even death.
"I had never heard of it before and became extremely nervous when I found out how serious it could really be," said Roman's mother, Blythe Black.
Luckily for Black, the doctors monitored the newly formed compartment and kept checking the amount of pressure developing by sticking a needle in his leg with a monitor. When the pressure grew too great, surgery was needed. At 4 a.m. on Nov. 3, 2005, Black underwent surgery that consisted of slicing his leg and leaving an open wound for nearly 10 days before stitching it back up.
"It was pretty painful, but it sure beats the alternative," Black said. "I was on crutches for about three weeks, but after that, it has just been a matter of trying to build the muscles back up. Basketball season started on Dec. 22, and I played. I was not 100 percent, but the doctor told me I couldn't do any more damage to it. I just had to tolerate the pain, so I played."
While Black plays both football and basketball for San Juan, his true love is baseball. It is also the sport in which he excels the most. He was voted a first-team all-state player last season as a sophomore following the Broncos' runner-up finish.
"I guess I like baseball the most because it is what I am the best at," he said. "Our team came so close last year, and that run through the playoffs really made me like it even more. I think that winning really helps to make it seem better."
Although still recovering — "My other leg is still a lot bigger because I lost a lot of muscle on it," Black said — he is turning in a superb baseball season. He is hitting over .700 with a 1.000 slugging percentage and 18 RBIs. He is 15-for-16 in stolen bases and has scored 16 runs.
"He is a great hitter and has a ton of speed," said San Juan coach Mike Bowers. "He has quite a bit of power and hits in our cleanup spot. He is racking up the RBIs, extra-base hits and stolen bases."
As the team tries to get back to the 2A championship game, — the Broncos forced a true title game last year as it won the first game before losing to Juan Diego for the 2A title — the numbers are impressive, but it is even more than the stats that makes Black so valuable to No. 3-ranked San Juan.
"He always gives everything he has, and he tries to be the best he can no matter what, hurt or not," said Bowers. "He is a great teammate. He likes to keep things light, but he is a fierce competitor. During a game he is tough and intense. I think he is more of an action leader for us. He doesn't try to lead vocally, but he is energetic and the team feeds off of him."
When not on the diamond, Black is either busy playing another sport, or outside enjoying any type of activity from hunting to hiking to camping. He enjoys his anatomy class, but does not really have any plans of what he wants to do after high school other than perhaps playing college baseball and going on an LDS mission. When examining this remarkable athlete and young man, it is easy to see his approach at the plate carries over into everything he takes on.
"I just try to swing as hard as I can every time and whatever happens, happens," he concluded.
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com