Daniel Boyette/Press-Register

Gulf Shores’ Toni DeVaney signed a soccer scholarship with Mount Olive (NC) College on Friday. The senior signed a little over a month after a head-on collision left her with multiple injuries.



Back on track

Toni DeVaney signs scholarship a month after injured in accident

By Daniel Boyette
Sports Reporter

GULF SHORES-Toni DeVaney still doesn’t recall much from the wreck. But she does remember being trapped in her car, talking to a rescue worker and worrying about whether she would get to keep her soccer scholarship.

The fear about her athletic future was not surprising. DeVaney had been named to the All-Baldwin team by county coaches multiple times, played in the Battle of the Bay match and competed in Europe with the United Soccer Academy. And, suddenly, everything was in limbo. She had broken both of her femurs, the tibia and fibula in her left leg, right ankle and left humorous.

But just a little more than a month after the accident, DeVaney is back on track.

Mount Olive (NC) College honored DeVaney’s Scholarship, and the Gulf Shores senior signed with the Division II School during a ceremony Friday afternoon at the GSHS library. The signing came a little more than a month after a Feb17 head-on collision in Orange Beach that occurred as DeVaney was driving to the Dolphins’ first match of the season.

Samara Santos, 20, of Pensacola was killed in the wreck. Gulf Shores police said Santos lost control of her vehicle, crossed into the incoming lane and slammed head-on into DeVaney’s Chevrolet Impala.

“It’s really overwhelming. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry,” DeVaney said of Friday’s signing ceremony. “But it meant a lot for all those people to show up. I didn’t expect that many people. I’m just glad I got my Scholarship.”

DeVaney, 17 isn’t taking the scholarship as a token gift from Mount Olive; she still plans on playing for the Trojans.

“I’m red shirting my freshman year and the coach (Matt Heistler) wants me to go to physical therapy and do personal training to get my muscles back,” she said. “I’m a small person, so he wants me to get 20 extra muscle pounds. That’s like 40 because of what I lost (after the accident). Freshman year will basically be muscle building, getting tactical skills back, touches on the ball, little things.”

DeVaney is currently undergoing 90-minute physical therapy sessions three times a week and is a month ahead of schedule. Her left leg is healed and the cast on her right leg is scheduled to come off next week.

“(My physical therapist) said that’s going to be the toughest thing,” DeVaney said.

Gulf Shores coach Jason Thompson said that DeVaney's presence on the side-lines at games has helped motivate the Dolphins. “All this journey that we’ve been through, to see her walk in here today to sign that, it’s just unbelievable,” he added. “It’s made my entire year.”

Before the accident, DeVaney was considering studying to become a physical therapist or surgeon. But after spending “too much time in the hospital,” she has her sights set on physical therapy.

“I’ve learned a lot of things about it now,” she said with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure I’ll do great at it.”

Hello everyone,
This is mom but I have a reason, good people with huge hearts keep appearing, I promised the girls at Tipseas I would post this on the blog. Toni is truly a miracle and an angel to have touched so many and we are so proud to call her ours. Here is the latest generous group to appear in our lives. We hope you all consider coming, it sounded fun to us! Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes.

Laurel, Scott, Tyler & TONI

Hey,
Today was my signing at 2, it went very well. I walked into the library, and sat down at the table with Coach Thompson and my mom, then signed. The Baldwin Register and The Islander were both there so look for the article in the paper. I was surprised by how many people showed up for my signing and I even told myself before I got there that I was not going to cry but once Dr. Rosado spoke before I signed I just couldn't help it. I'm sad to say I didnt get to play this year and it is my last year to have the opportunity to play with this wonderful group of girls. I am very glad to be able to play in college and hope everyone can come sooner or later to watch me play again. Have a great day.
Love you,
Toni

Hi everyone,
Mom here, Toni has had a busy week since she started going back to school, normal things take longer for her to do and that consumes the extra time she normally would have had. She works so hard at therapy that she is tired and needs a nap in the afternoons. They even say (at therapy) that she has progressed so fast they need to re-do her charts because she has far exceeded any normal expectations they might have had. We are now on the hunt for a wedge sandal(I know we have to buy a pair) to wear to prom since she will likely be in a boot on the right ankle (again, way ahead of what they originally thought) and the spike heels she was going to wear just aren't going to work. We located the MP3 from her car, the LCD screen is broken but it still plays and her new phone has MP3 capabilities so she decided not to replace it yet. Her Sperry's are now her only confirmed casualty from the accident, and all things considered, that isn't bad at all. Today she had a visit from LeeAnn and Sarah from the Pensacola Futball Club Team she played on for three years. They aren't in this picture but this is last years GS soccer team. God bless all of you for your prayers and all the support. As Toni would say, "smile every day".
I do because I wake up and still have her!

Laurel xoxoxo

Hey,
School went well today, I only had to go to my two main classes which wasn't bad, then went to therapy. I have my college signing on Friday and plan on walking in to my school library to my signing. Tomorrow is a full day at school for me then a game right after. I dont really have much to say so I hope everyone has a great night and a wonderful Tuesday. :)
Love,
Toni

Hey,
So the doctor appointment could of been better on friday but I had 117 staples total, 5 plates in my ankle and a bunch of screws. I am now in a cast till I go back April 3, and hopefully I get a boot just in time for prom. The doctor was impressed with my recovery and I have FINALLY been released to go back to school tomorrow. My scars are healing well and I attempted crutches and realized my leg was still really weak. Well time to eat lunch, Love everyone.
Smile daily,
Toni

Hey everyone,
I know its been 2 days since I refreshed everyone on info on my recovery. The past 2 days of therapy have gone very well, I walked at both again and I'm jumping further so she says. I am a great patient according to Mrs. Jenny ( my therapist) because while she has patients that come in with the smallest injuries and constantly complain, I show up every day increasing my range of motion and never saying a word but constantly smiling because I am so grateful for every degree I gain in my range of motion. I go to Dr. Marshall tomorrow with a note from my doctor letting him know my progress which is a month advanced. Hope everyone has a great and safe rest of the week. Love you all and just as you pray for me I am praying for yall that the parents with kids never have to go through what my parents just had to.
Smile everyday,
Toni :)