SJU tennis player makes strides in recovery after accident

Zach Lagergren may just be in his first year here at St. John’s, but he has impacted the hearts of many on campus, including his SJU tennis teammates and friends.

On Feb. 12, the first-year was snowmobiling when he went off the trail and struck a tree head-on. He was airlifted to a level one trauma center and spent a week in the neurotrauma ICU. At the time of the accident, Lagergren was thankfully wearing his helmet, but still suffered multiple skull and facial fractures, brain bruises and damage to his frontal lobe. Lagergren was sedated and breathing with the help of a ventilator for a few weeks, but has begun to make the remarkable recovery journey. Lagergren is now able to walk again and has begun in-patient physical therapy according to his CaringBridge website, run by his mother Lori Lagergren.

His mother writes on his CaringBridge that he is improving daily and getting ready to discharge from the hospital. She thanks all the support and prayers members of the community have shown in the past few months. Several of Lagergren’s friends have made visits to see and support him. Jens Kaldahl, a first-year Johnnie and a good friend of Lagergren’s, said that a positive mindset and faith in God have been a huge part of Lagergren’s recovery journey.

“I visited Zach over spring break with a few friends. He was still the funny and friendly guy I remember. His mother has been such a positive inspiration for all of us,” Kaldahl said.

Support from the CSB+SJU community has been strong since Lagergren’s accident. Being a school grounded in Benedictine values and community, support for Lagergren has showed up in big ways throughout campus. Being a member of the SJU tennis team, Lagergren’s teammates and coach have stayed strong and resilient for Lagergren.

“The team was shocked when we initially heard the news. Since that night, we have become closer as a group. We’ve been motivated to compete on behalf of Zach,” senior Peyton Fischer said.

At every match, they break down their huddle by saying his name, according to Fischer. Sports are a core part of Lagergren’s life, with the SJU tennis team and his participation on the intramural hockey team here at SJU. In addition to sports on campus, Lagergren loves to watch the Wild hockey games and is a massive fan of golf, according to his CaringBridge.

“When he’s not in therapy, he loves watching sports,” Kaldahl said.

Throughout Lagergren’s recovery journey, his attention to sports games and gestures have actually clued doctors into Lagergren’s healing process so far, according to his mother. Kaldahl also mentioned that Lagergren has been in good spirits and jokes around with all of his friends.

“His only concern is how his golf game is going to be this year,” Kaldahl said.

Lagergren continues to be an inspiration for the CSB+SJU community and his SJU tennis teammates.

“Zach has always been such an inspiration to all of us. He has been fighting so incredibly hard and never complains,” Kaldahl said.

Both his coach and teammates have echoed similar sentiments.

“He really enjoys showing up to practice every single day and putting forth maximal effort. Zach inspires us this way, alongside his willingness to learn,” Fischer said.

Fischer said that the entire tennis team is always going to be a support system for Lagergren.

“We are always thinking about Zach and have missed his positivity and energy at our matches,” Fischer said.

While Lagergren is making great progress, it will still be a long recovery journey for the Johnnie. Both friends and family of Lagergren have ask for the continued prayers and support from the CSB+SJU community. To follow along with Lagergren’s journey or to show support to his family, please visit Zach Lagergren’s CaringBridge page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/zachlagergren.