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| | Thursday, January 11 Ailing back may sideline Cohen | |||||
| ABC Sports Online news services COSTA MESA, Calif. - - Sasha Cohen is questionable for next week's U.S. national figure skating championships in Boston because of a back injury. Cohen, who came close to upsetting Michelle Kwan at last year's nationals, has a stress fracture in the fifth lumbar of her lower back. Doctors recommended that Cohen take at least a month off. But a second medical opinion Tuesday suggested the 16-year-old could continue to train and compete without further damaging her back. "I haven't been able to do as many run-throughs as I'd like and all (my) jumps," she said. "I'm going to have to feel ready. I'm not going to go out there to skate badly." Doctors believe the fracture is the result of a growth spurt that has seen Cohen grow 3 inches in the past year to 5-foot-1½ inches. John Nicks, Cohen's coach, said he would not allow her to compete in Boston until he reviews the medical opinions. "She's a very determined girl," he said. "But I have a lot of reservations. I want to see a medical release telling me that competing will not aggravate this injury." | ALSO SEE U.S. Nationals preview U.S. Nationals participants Silverstein and Pekarek end career | |||||