They call her the young phenomenon. It's easy to see why cyclist Chloé Dygert, 19, of Brownsburg, has earned this honorary title. The former Brownsburg High School basketball player became the first U.S. junior woman to earn double gold medals in this fall's road World Championships, winning both the individual time trial and road race by wide margins. It's performances like these that have made her a rising star in the sport of cycling, and earned her a place on the U.S. Olympic team this summer in Rio, where she brought home a silver medal.
Turning obstacles into opportunities
Chloé's road to Rio de Janeiro has had a few challenges along the way. Always aggressive on the basketball court, she experienced multiple sports injuries during her early teenage years, including a broken nose, torn shoulder labram, stress fractures in her shins and feet, and a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Chloé has undergone two orthopedic surgeries at Hendricks Regional Health, including shoulder arthroscopy in June 2012 and knee surgery to repair a torn ACL in February 2014. She also had extensive physical therapy to help her regain her mobility and motion, and put her back on track.
For some, these injuries would have been obstacles. But Chloé believed in herself, and turned her injuries into opportunities, recovering with the determination and grit that makes her such an unstoppable athlete.
Inspired to achieve her dream
Chloé credits her dad, Dave, as the person who has inspired her the most along her journey. It was his gift of a road bike for her sixteenth birthday that truly changed the course of her life, as well as the encouragement he has always shown. It was her dad who built a 1-mile, dirt bike trail on their 4.5-acre property so that she and her older brother, Gunner, also a cyclist, could practice. It was also her dad that first saw in Chloé the potential and skill that has taken the cycling world by storm. He knew she was bound for greatness, something that Chloé has, without a doubt, proven to the world.
Unwavering support from her orthopedics team
She also credits the friendship and support from her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Chad Waits, and physical therapist, Doug Wyneken, for helping her push past her injuries. Both Dr. Waits and Doug were there on May 27 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to watch her ride in the USA Cycling Professional Road Championships, and were excited to watch her compete in Rio this past August.
Gearing up for the future with endless possibilities
Chloé has no intention of stopping after Rio. She is motivated by her mentor and teammate, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong, who is still riding strong in her 40s and also competed in Rio this past August. Like her mentor, Chloé plans to ride for many years to come, embracing new challenges along the way. Also, she is engaged to cyclocross champion Logan Owen, and is excited for what their future holds together.
At Hendricks Regional Health, we believe in possibilities. No matter your goals, we are here to help you achieve them. Whether you want to get back to your sport, or simply back to life, our orthopedics and sports medicine team will create a custom treatment plan just for you. Injuries don't have to be obstacles. We have the experience and expertise to help you turn them into opportunities.