By JASON ELLIOTT
Sports writer
As a junior in 2024, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy defender Mallory Judd felt something was off as she tried to return from a torn ACL in her right knee in 2023.
Her dedication to the program didn’t let her miss a match in ’24.
“There were a lot of times when people told me that it was all in my head,” Judd said. “A lot of people coming back from injuries get scared and are afraid to go after the ball like they’d done previously. Usually, after five minutes, I’d come out of the game and then reset my leg, and it wouldn’t hurt anymore, so I’d go back in.”
As it turned out, Judd had played the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL in her left knee, as well as a fractured tibia plateau (shinbone).
“My leg had been bothering me all season, so I decided to go and get it checked out,” Judd said. “After being out my entire sophomore season, I decided I was going to push through the pain. So I played the entire season.”
Judd underwent surgery on her left ACL in May, taking her out for her senior season this year.
“It’s been a 9-to-12-month recovery,” Judd said. “It took me 10 months on my right knee, and I’m right in the middle of my rehab on the left side now.”
Though she didn’t know it at the time, Judd tore her ACL three practices into the 2024 season.
“They told me after my first one, if you go back or don’t go back, you’ve got a 25% chance of tearing the other side,” Judd said. “And it was a chance I was willing to take. And then three practices in, I tore my left side. It happens, but it’s been a lot better because I’ve prepared myself for what the rehab process is like. It’s kind of less out of my mind and a part of my mind.”
Judd was a three-year starter for the Panthers, who last week earned a berth to state for the 13th straight season.
“I was one of two freshmen to start my freshman year,” Judd said. “There were eight of us I believe, and our goalkeeper was a freshman as well (Adysen Robinson). I started on the field with one sophomore and the rest were juniors and seniors. The next year, it was a fantastic season, and I got hurt.”
With Judd sidelined for her senior season, she still wanted to contribute to the program, somehow, so she spoke with Coeur d’Alene Charter girls coach Stacy Smith about a role with the program.
Smith then talked with assistant coach Trey Weatherly. They decided to make Judd an assistant coach, focusing on the positioning of players.
“We ended up deciding that it’s a unique situation where we can allow for a kid to try to take on a little more of a coaching role rather than a captainship,” Smith said. “Because, really, truly, if she was playing, she would have been a captain again. But we needed her voice in some way, and she’s done a good job. It’s hard to be a leader amongst your peers when you’re not one to get to step on the field and do it. But she’s done a good job of navigating that.”
“I’ve never really thought this would be given to me,” Judd said. “I was a little nervous that I’d just be another player on the sideline not doing much. Maybe a manager, maybe not. She (Smith) told me I was a captain last year and feel like you’ve got so much knowledge that I want to give you this opportunity along with Trey and me. And it’s definitely something that I never saw coming, but it made me realize a lot more about myself and I learned I had more patience than I thought, but it also tested those skills.”
“It’s pretty cool,” Smith said. “For a kid to recognize that this is bigger than me. I’m part of something that my friends have been a part of and doing all of high school. And now I can’t physically do it, but how do I still participate? She let me know early on that she was going to do whatever it took to be a part of the program and I told her, ‘let’s think about what that looks like.”
Not being a part of the team was something Judd ever considered.
“There’s been 10 freshmen that have come in this year, which is a huge group and reflects my freshmen year when we all came in,” Judd said. “I feel like I’ve learned that since I can’t play, I shouldn’t keep my own skills to myself. I should spread my knowledge to a lot of the kids that have never played before. The midfielder that took my spot (freshman Riley Greene), she reflects a lot of the aspects that I had on the team. I’ve been telling her a lot of my standpoints and trying to make her a better midfielder and spread my knowledge through her.”
Coeur d’Alene Charter started the season 3-1, then won 9 of its last 10 games, with one tie.
“I think we were trying to figure out our midfield early on,” Smith said. “We were seeking those people who were willing to tell people to mark up, that’s a really significant role of a holding center midfielder, to make sure they’re vocalizing that you’ve got this person and you’ve got that person. We’ve got some kids that are starting to step into that role, but it’s taken a bit.”
Coeur d’Alene Charter (12-1-1), the seventh seed, opens at state against second-seeded Kimberly (18-2-0) at Meridian High on Thursday at 2 p.m.
During a JV match against Kellogg, Judd served as head coach as Coeur d’Alene Charter defeated the Wildcats.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Judd said. “It’s hit or miss if people are going to listen to you or not, so you can’t get into your own head if you tell someone to do something. You’ve really just got to let it roll off your back.”
Judd was named her school’s Rotary Student of the Month for October. At a luncheon honoring area students, Judd asked Smith to be in attendance as her guest.
“She definitely has had a huge impact on my life,” Judd said. “She taught me that when hardship comes, don’t focus on the hardship, but what’s around it. Giving me this chance to be a student/coach definitely showed me that, although I can’t play, I can now use my skills. I’m a very loud and vocal person, so I feel like I can use those skills instead of showing what I can do.”
“She’s a great student and really on top of things,” Smith said. “One of my favorite memories was in middle school during COVID, and we maybe had half of the class here. We were talking toward the end of class and she and a buddy were talking, and I was part of the conversation, but not really. She said, ‘I haven’t had a great math teacher, but Mrs. Smith is really good.’ And she looked at me and said I didn’t mean that rudely, ‘you’re a great teacher. But she said that she didn’t know if she’d had a great math teacher, so she didn’t have anything to compare that to. And I remember thinking, from Mallory, that’s a compliment, and I’ve got to take that one.”
Judd said she plans to become a neonatologist — a doctor that cares for newborn babies — when she graduates.
As for soccer, she’s still not sure if she’ll continue playing in college.
“I feel like after the second time, I told myself I wasn’t going to go back,” Judd said. “But watching from the sideline makes me miss it a lot. Maybe I’ll go back, and maybe it’s a chance I’m willing to take since I’ve done it twice now, so what’s a third.”
“I know she’s got big aspirations, but in terms of helping her community and doing this role, especially through college, I can see her coaching someday,” Smith said. “She’s a great leader, especially amongst her peers and to the younger kids. I can see that happening.”
Judd