At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Midland Lutheran College offensive lineman Curtis Lastovica comes across as an intimidating figure rather than a sympathetic one.
But after everything that the Omaha North graduate has been through in the past nine months, his teammates aren’t lacking empathy for him.
"He’s definitely had a few setbacks," Midland center Jordan Crook said. "Luck is definitely not on his side right now."
Lastovica hopes the rest of the summer and the Warriors’ fall camp changes that.
Good fortune appeared to be on his side last September when he earned a starting job at guard for the Warriors. After a blowout season-opening win over Concordia in Seward, he was eager for the rest of 2008.
"I was real excited about our season," Lastovica said. "That was the most fun game of my life and it showed me that our season was going to mean something."
Lastovica’s season took a downward turn the next week against Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa. Early in the second quarter, in a mass of interior linemen jostling for position, Lastovica suffered a broken leg and ligament damage.
"That was a pretty big blow to us," Crook said. "He had worked hard in the weightroom and in practice and he had shown his versatility by playing guard or tackle. He rarely made mistakes and he could dominate about anyone across from him."
The following Monday, Lastovica underwent surgery where a six-inch plate and screws were inserted in his leg.
Lastovica watched from the sidelines as the Warriors finished 6-5 and compiled one of their best seasons in recent memory. He believed his recuperation was going well and went in for a routine checkup a couple of days before Thanksgiving.
"I was going to get my boot off, start to do physical therapy and walk again," Lastovica said. "But they found that the fibula and tibia had started to separate and the screws weren’t holding things together properly. They told me I’d need another surgery to prevent the early onset of arthritis and other eventual complications.
"I could’ve not done the surgery and gone on from there, but it would’ve made things worse in the long run. I talked it over with my family and we decided to go to a specialist."
The specialist performed another surgery and the results were successful. The process, however, caused Lastovica to miss participating in the Warriors’ winter conditioning.
Players would meet at 6 in the morning five times a week to run or lift weights. Lastovica was prohibited from participating due to the injury, but that didn’t mean he was absent.
"I went every morning," he said. "I didn’t think it would be fair for me to lay in bed just because I was on crutches. My roommate (linebacker Luke Coufal) had to be there and guys would go even when they were sick so I thought I should go because it was a team event. It didn’t always look that fun, but I would’ve loved to have participated in it."
Lastovica’s regular appearance didn’t go unnoticed by his peers.
"He went through some tough things with having the second surgery," Crook said. "I think it would’ve been hard to get up each morning and see everyone working while you can only sit there. But it showed his dedication to the team and just how important this upcoming season is to him."
Lastovica also wasn’t able to participate in spring practice, but was there for every workout. During the spring, the Warriors elect three leaders at every position and he was selected for the offensive line along with Crook and All-Great Plains Athletic Conference selection Sam Dancer.
"Some of these guys who are freshmen only saw me (compete) at two-a-days last year and for basically one game," Lastovica said. "I’ve been there a lot for moral support, but it felt great that my teammates did that for me."
Lastovica’s tribulations didn’t end, however, after his leg had healed. One week before finals, his appendix burst and he needed surgery. He has coped with the setbacks with humor.
"There’s kind of a joke about me having a VIP card for the hospital," he said.
Lastovica is looking forward to returning to the field for the Warriors. He estimates that he is at about 85 percent right now, but plans to be at full speed for the fall.
"I just want to help the team get to the playoffs," he said. "I think it is our time this year. As far as personal goals go, I just want to play injury-free. It doesn’t matter if I start or if I’m on second- or third-string. It will just be fun to be back on the field with the guys."
Crook said Lastovica’s teammates are anxious for that to happen.
"I think everyone appreciates the time and effort he has given to this team," he said. "We all want him to come back and excel."
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