COLUMBUS - He's baaack.
After sitting out for a month because of a blood clot, Columbus High senior Jared Sharman made waves in the pool with an automatic state qualifying time of 58.22 seconds in the 100-yard backstroke in a dual against Hastings.
“I'm not 100 percent, but I'm getting there,” Sharman said. “It's a huge relief (to qualify for state).”
In addition, Sharman was .03 of a second from notching an automatic qualifying time in the 100 freestyle. He touched the wall first in 51.61 seconds.
A month ago, the chances of Sharman, who placed fourth in the 100 backstroke at state last year, even getting back in the pool appeared slim.
Following the Hastings Invite on Dec. 2, the Telegram Super Senior said his arm started to swell up and hurt. A MRI turned up what was thought to be a torn cartilage, and Sharman's season appeared to be in jeopardy. However, a visit to an orthopedic doctor revealed no structural damage, and Sharman was referred to a vascular specialist.
After more tests, a blood clod was discovered in Sharman's shoulder, and he was diagnosed with the venous type of thoracic outlet syndrome.
“I was in shock after I heard about it,” Sharman said. “I never knew what thoracic outlet syndrome was. At first, I thought I just pulled a muscle.”
The problem occurs when Sharman's arm is lifted above his head for extended amount of time and the muscles between his clavicle and first rib pinch a major vein. While it's exact origin is unknown, the syndrome often develops suddenly, frequently following unusual, prolonged limb exertion.
The specialist wanted to keep Sharman overnight, but he decided to return home because he had a band concert the next day, so they postponed the treatment.
To dissolve the clot, Sharman returned to Lincoln and received an anti-coagulant through a catheter in his arm. He stayed in the intensive care unit for three and a half days so his blood could return to the normal consistency.
On doctor's orders, Sharman wasn't able to swim during the next month. He said it was difficult, but not excruciating because he only missed three meets.
Columbus coach Jan Boeding said she didn't like seeing Sharman have to sit on the sidelines, but she said his absence forced other boys on the team to step up to fill the void.
She said Sharman's brother, Derek, cut a lot of time, and Dalton Beam and Nathan Mueller also stepped up to provide leadership and points.
Last week, Sharman starting swimming again and competed in the 200 and 500 freestyle to test out his legs. After placing third and second in the two races, respectively, in his first meet back on Jan. 9, Sharman won both events in duals against Lincoln High and Beatrice.
Because he felt no ill effects after the last meet, Boeding decided to put Sharman back in his normal events.
He responded Thursday with the automatic state qualifying time and improving his secondary qualifying time in the 100 freestyle at 51.61 seconds. In addition he helped the Discoverers' post the season bests and secondary state qualifying times in the 400 freestyle and 200 medley relays with Mueller, Beam and Derek Sharman.
Jared Sharman said the only change in his routine is taking a blood-thinning medication. He still has a few physical side effects as the clot isn't completely clear and his right arm changes color.
Boeding said she was happy to see Sharman back swimming, but part of her was scared.
“Sometimes the mom in me comes out in me when he's swimming,” she said. “The last thing I would want to see is him get hurt, but my confidence is increasing, and he's aware of situation if a problem would come up.”
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