This was what could only be described as heartache for an athlete who has devoted his whole high school athletic career to running.
Woodstock Academy senior Mike Berkowicz, his left ankle taped and now with ice surrounding it Saturday at Wickham Park in Manchester, could only envision what could have been and what wasn't all because of a stupid tree root.
Berkowicz and the rest of his teammates were just beginning to practice for the State Championship meet last Saturday, two days after he finished second in the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship.
Berkowicz was about two minutes into practice when he stumbled over the root. Not thinking anything about it, he tried to get up,but realized the ankle just wasn't going to support him and two of his teammates had to help him back.
The ankle sprain meant Berkowicz could only stationary bike and swim up this past week instead of being out there and training. He still gave it a try and accomplished what many would have been happy with, a 20th place overall finish.
"We needed me to be about 20 places higher," Berkowicz said as his team finished fifth overall and missed running for the State Open championship.
His teammate, Zach Eckard, will be on hand for that on Friday as he placed fifth overall in the race.