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Jessica Jones earn gymnastics scholarship to Penn State
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Neighbors | Submitted.Canfield High School senior Jessica Jones will sign a National Letter of Intent to attend Pennsylvania State University as a member of the gymnastics team in the fall of 2015, with a full scholarship.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield High School senior Jessica Jones will sign a National Letter of Intent to attend Pennsylvania State University as a member of the gymnastics team in the fall of 2015, with a full scholarship. Jones, daughter of Rich and Linda Jones, began gymnastics at the age of 3 at Youngstown Gymnastics Center and began her competitive career at age 8.
Sandy Sabo, Youngstown Gymnastics Center team director, has coached Jones since she was 7-years-old.
“I have coached Jessica since she was 7. Chad Cleland joined our staff the past two years and is also her coach now, mainly on bars. Our entire staff at Youngstown Gymnastics works as a team. There have been several coaches who have contributed to Jessica’s success over the years. Her choreographer of all her floor and beam routines is Leah Pierce, who lives in Houston, Texas. Leah travels up to Ohio every summer to choreograph routines for our gym. I have always enjoyed coaching Jessi. She is very focused and always puts 100 percent effort into her workouts,” Sabo said.
According to Sabo, she knew at a young age that Jones had what it takes to be a competitive gymnast.
“I saw something special in her as they began training her for competitive gymnastics. Jessica wanted to do everything perfect. Her consistent daily efforts allowed her to advance very quickly through the levels of gymnastics and also allowed her to participate in a special program conducted by USA Gymnastics National Staff called T.O.P.S. (Talent Opportunity Program Selection). This program tests young athletes on their physical abilities at a young age and allows them to advance to special training camps in Houston to work with the USA Gymnastics National Staff. Jessica qualified to these special camps at ages 9, 10 and 11,” Sabo said.
Jones’ road to collegiate gymnastics has not been without its bumps, along with her triumphs.
“Jessica’s accomplishments in gymnastics include many state, regional and national titles. Jessica is a level 10 gymnast. This is the top level of the Jr. Olympic USA Gymnastics program. Jessica has been competing at this top level going on her sixth season. The past two seasons have ended in disappointment when she suffered from ischial tuberosity injuries both years around her state meets. These injuries kept her from competing in her state, regional and national meets the past two seasons. This year, 2014, was her ‘comeback’ season when she competed well and qualified to USA Gymnastics Level 10 Nationals held in Jackson, Miss. Jessica has finished her off season training and is now gearing up for her last Jr. Olympic Level 10 competitive season before going off to college,” Sabo said.
Jones was heartbroken after her injuries and was told she would not be able to train for two to three months and a full comeback would take six to eight months, but she talked to her coach and they decided to turn the situation into a positive.
“In April 2012, I suffered an ischial tuberocity fracture, and March 2013, I suffered a fracture of the lesser trochanter of the femur. Both of these injuries were avulsion fractures. I am not the kind of person that will stop or give up when something becomes difficult. I also have a high pain tolerance. For this reason, both of my injuries were diagnosed weeks after they occurred. During the time between the initial injury and the diagnosis, I continued to train. When I could no longer train through the pain, I finally went to the doctor. When the injuries were diagnosed, I was told that I would not be able to train at all for two to three months and that a full comeback would take six to eight months.
“I was heartbroken after hearing this, but I talked to my coach and we decided to turn the situation into a positive. Despite what the doctors said, I was in the gym every day. I conditioned for at least two hours every day, focusing mainly on my upper body and lower legs. During this time, I built strength in my shoulders and ankles,” Jones said.
Not being able to train for such a long time renewed Jones’ love of gymnastics and only furthered her determination.
“When my doctor and therapists released me to train, I was so excited. Sitting back and watching my teammates train without me was probably the hardest part of being injured. Being away/removed from the sport made me realize how important it was to me. Not being able to train for so long renewed my love for gymnastics and sparked a fire of determination in me.
“Recovering from these two injuries and making a comeback was probably the most challenging thing I have ever done. Because the injuries were back to back, it made it even more challenging both physically and mentally, but eventually I was able to get back my strength and my skills and put together routines that were ready to compete. Now, my health and my body is back to 100 percent. I can’t thank my family, coaches and teammates enough for encouraging me and supporting me through my injuries and comeback,” Jones said.
Jones dreamed of competing on the international level as an elite gymnast, but as she grew older, her dreams changed and earning a scholarship and competing at the collegiate level became her main goal.
“Young gymnasts in grade school always dream about competing in the Olympics. I was the same way. I wanted to compete on the international level as an elite gymnast. Throughout middle school, I trained in a way that would help to achieve this dream of mine. Towards the end of my middle school career, however, my dreams and priorities began to change and I realized that becoming an elite gymnast wasn’t something that I really wanted to do. When I entered high school, earning a scholarship and competing at the collegiate level became my main goal. The atmosphere of collegiate athletics is so high energy and full of fun, and I’m so excited that I have reached my goal and am able to be apart of it in the coming years,” Jones said.
Sabo echoed her student’s excitement for reaching her goal of earning a scholarship and competing at the collegiate level.
“It is very satisfying to have an athlete from my gym advance to the collegiate level, with a full scholarship. This is always the goal. I had two daughters of my own grow up in this sport and reach the college level. One graduated from NC State on a full scholarship and the other performs in Cirque Du Soliel shows. My daughters gained so much from the sport of gymnastics and I only want the same for the athletes I coach,” Sabo said.
Jones is thrilled to be able to continue her gymnastics career at Penn State, where she plans to study kinesiology and exercise science.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to continue my gymnastics career at Penn State. Attaining a college scholarship is something that I have been working toward for a long time and I am honored that Penn State has recognized my hard work and offered me a spot on their team. I’m looking forward to being a part of the fantastic athletic and academic programs the university has to offer,” Jones said.
Sabo stressed the time and dedication to a sport it takes to reach the level Jones has reached.
“It takes an awful lot of time and dedication to a sport to reach this level. You can not do ‘the average’ time in the gym and attain this level. Besides participation in the normal Jr. Olympic program and its progressive levels, Jessica did the TOPS program. She spent extra hours every week on her physical abilities and basic skills. ‘You are only as strong as your basics’ - it’s true and Jessica has a strong foundation, thus her success,” Sabo concluded.