Community rallies to support injured high school lacrosse players return to Fredericksburg [Video]

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (DC News Now) — Students in the region are starting a new school year, but for one high school lacrosse athlete, getting to go back to school at all is his goal.

Gunnar Burns, a senior at James Monroe High School (JMHS) in Fredericksburg, returned home last week – three months after sustaining a serious injury during a lacrosse game.

Burns, who is in a wheelchair, is recovering from a fractured vertebra, according to an online fundraiser. He began his recovery with surgeries in Richmond, before going to an Atlanta-based medical center for adolescents dealing with similar rehabilitation journies.

On Wednesday, he returned home to Fredericksburg greeted by cheering coaches, teammates, and classmates, many of whom were holding signs.

Thousands turnout to welcome home Olympic swimmer Torri Huske

His warm welcome on Aug. 21, was three months to do the day of Burns’ injury.

The long-stick midfielder was playing the ball in a playoff lacrosse game when he collided with an …