Girls comeback player of the year

Class: Senior

Age: 18 The injury/illness: Doctors discovered a tancycytic ependymoma tumor growing inside Derr's spinal cord in November 2007. The tumor was removed via surgery, but she lost all fine and gross motor skills as well as joint perception. "I was not able to take care of myself. It was like being a baby all over again except I could talk." Rehab time: During months of physical and occupational therapy, she slowly regained the ability to walk again on her own. She was cleared to play sports in April 2008. Her sports: Cross country, indoor track and soccer (midfield/forward). College plans: Attend George Mason University and major in chemistry. Three words your friends would use to describe you: "Humble, energetic, kind." Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese (from the box). Key to the comeback: "I thought nothing could stop me so I never let it get me down." Biggest setback: Breathing problems turned out to be asthma. Essay quotable: "I am still not completely recovered, and I may never be, but my desire to compete is too strong to keep me from not participating in the things I enjoy doing." If you had one wish: "That I didn't have asthma." Other strength that carried her through: "Heart. I wanted to get back on my feet to do the things I loved." Best sports memory: Road trips to Penn State and Tennessee for cross country. "It was a different experience going out of state." Possession you can't do without: "My cellphone." Biggest challenge: "Leaving all my friends [for college]." -- Arthur Utley