Gymnast Thompson gets a full ride to Iowa State

She is the first McDonald student to get a full scholarship for gymnastics.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
McDONALD -- It's the beginning of national letter-of-intent season.
It's Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Athletes are sitting at a table somewhere, putting their names on the dotted line.
A 17-year-old McDonald high senior takes a pen and makes the strokes.
When it's faxed and acknowledged on the other end, it's official.
With acceptance, Jasmine Thompson becomes the first McDonald student to receive a full scholarship for gymnastics.
Her letter-of-intent to attend Iowa State was witnessed by her parents and McDonald principal John Larocca.
The daughter of Lt. William G. Thompson and Beatrice Thompson of McDonald earned her stripes through training and competition with the Olympic Dreams gymnastics school of Vienna.
Jasmime has been involved since age 7.
"I remember my parents taking me to Olympic Dreams one day and I loved it ever since," she said. "It's all I've ever done."
Her father is with the Ohio state highway patrol and her mother works at the Mahoning Dept. of Human Services. The former Beatrice Kelly was an All-City basketball player at East High School. Jasmine's 19-year-old sister, Brittney, attends YSU.
In national meet
Jasmine's participation at the nationals in Orlando, Fla. this past May, and subsequent exposure during a College-Bound showcase helped her stock.
At the nationals May 1-4, Thompson placed 37th in all-around competition in the 16-over age bracket.
"I fell on beam, so I had a rough meet. Sometimes you're on, sometimes you're not," she said.
College-Bound is an NFL combine-like tryout during which gymnasts show college coaches what they can do.
Jasmine visited the University of Illinois, Iowa State and North Carolina State, then verbally committed to the Cyclones in September.
Her coach will be K.J. Kindler. Iowa State, a member of the Big 12 Conference, was ranked No. 9 in the nation in 2004.
Thompson's excitement doesn't end with Wednesday's signing.
She has been selected to travel to China Nov. 16-24, with a group of 20 gymnasts from Region 5. The all-stars are from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky.
Toussaint going also
Another Olympics Dreams gymnast going to Asia is Hannah Toussaint, the daughter of center owner/operator Dawn Toussaint. In Beijing, the Region 5 representatives will train with the Chinese national team.
Thompson's time in the gym cuts down on her time for normal teen activities.
After school, Jasmine trains at Olympic Dreams until 7:30 p.m. every weekday except Thursday, when she works as a coach for younger girls. Her Saturday routine is 8 a.m. to noon. She's off on Sundays.
Despite the rigors of the commitment, she has no regrets.
"Gymnastics has taken me so far and opened up so many opportunities. I got to visit places [other] people haven't. I still get to hang out with friends, just not as much as everyone else. But it's enough for me."
Olympic Dreams has been good for Jasmine Thompson, but, after college, her dreams may not include the Olympics.
"I'll go to college and let it carry me through," she said. "Gymnastics is part of my life, but, otherwise, I want to keep moving on."
bassetti@vindy.com