Senior Jackie Kent tumbles and flips around the globe

Senior Jackie Kent steps onto the floor at the 2023 FIG Trampoline World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal to compete in the finals of the double-mini category, a form of trampoline gymnastics. She feels the rush of energy and support from the crowd and her teammates on the USA Senior Women’s National Team. Once finished with her routine she waits to hear the results; she earned a score of 24.700, earning her a bronze medal in the Senior World Cup.

In 2021 Kent attended the 28th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Competitions in Baku, Azerbaijan with North Central College sophomore Hunter Moravec. Moravec has been her teammate for 11 years at Elite Sports Complex and the USA National Team. This was both of their first representing the US and Moravec recollects watching Kent score a 67.5 and earning a medal.

“We got to represent the US together. It was a dream of both me and her; it was our first time representing the US, and to sit there and watch her win her medal, I just felt so proud and happy for her, but at the same time me and her had a great time there,” Moravec said.

Kent stands with first and second place medalists Kristy Way (GBR) and Cheyanna Robinson (AUS) at the Trampoline World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal.

Kent made her mark in the gymnastics universe starting at age four when she joined the Elite Sports Complex gymnastics team. She started with doing both artistic gymnastics and tumbling, but as schedules began to overlap, she stuck with tumbling. From then on, she qualified to join the USA Junior Women’s National Team in 2021 and move up to the senior team.

“I started gymnastics at Elite when I was four, and the coach saw me at one of the practices and recruited me onto the team. Back in 2021 or 2022 I was put on the Junior National Team, and after that, I mobilized to the senior team, and that was chosen based on scores at selection events,” Kent said.

Kent stands with first and second place medalists Kristy Way (GBR) and Cheyanna Robinson (AUS) at the Trampoline World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal. (Carlos Alberto Matos)

Once joining the senior team, the skills Kent was doing became more difficult. She spends time practicing anywhere from eight to ten hours per week to make sure her skills are executed well. With practice and traveling, managing Kent’s personal and school life gets put on hold once competition season starts.

“For school it’s hard to stay on top of my work and be caught up with lessons, so I do have to go in for office hours, ask for help from teachers and get assignments ahead of time. This goes hand in hand with my social life. I see myself not hanging out with as many people in the depth of my competition season, because I am too busy catching up on my school work,” Kent said.

Kent has been coached by Darnel Robinson at Elite Sports Complex for 12 years. He helped her try out for the USA teams by bringing her to competitions that would qualify her for spots on the teams. Robinson has seen Kent’s improvement over the years and how she has grown as a gymnast.

“Maturity level wise she has improved. She is resilient and hard on herself, but she pushes through. She is a great team leader and coach, and she shows sportsmanship at the competitions,” Robinson said

Kent gets support from USA Gymnastics Double Mini National Team head coach Chelsea Rainer after placing sixth in the 37th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham, GBR

Though gymnastics takes a lot of physical energy within training, the mental energy exerted can be just as tolling. Being able to get through difficult practices, gaining more trust in herself, staying positive and finding therapeutic moments in double mini helps Kent further develop in her sport.

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“Honestly it is rejuvenating. If I am having a hard day I can use gymnastics as an outlet to relieve stress and it honestly helps me build confidence in myself, because when I put my mind to something and then accomplish it, it proves to me that if I put my mind to it I can accomplish a lot of things,”

— Kent

Kent gets support from USA Gymnastics Double Mini National Team head coach Chelsea Rainer after placing sixth in the 37th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham, GBR (Filippo Tomasi)

Kent stands with her teammates from the USA Women’s National team before competing at the Trampoline World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal (Chelsea Rainer)

While staying strong mentally as an individual is essential to Kent’s performance, being there to support her team is just as important. Moravec has witnessed how Kent makes new additions to their team feel included and supported, and he shares how Kent’s support while in the gym and while competing overseas is key to how he performs in his meets.

“To me, it’s like a safety blanket. Most days when I don’t feel like I’m at the top of my game she can step up for the team and be the leader they need. She is all around a good vibe when she’s in the gym and she loves to help all the new upcoming athletes being brought onto the team,” Moravec said

Kent’s mom, Rachel Kent, has been at her side since her first gymnastics practice. She has been supporting her daughter even when in different states and countries.

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“I am excited for her. She goes to different countries, meets different people and achieves medals in arenas. Going from doing a cartwheel to becoming a national champion, she’s the best of the best out there,”

— Kent

As Kent expresses her favorite moments with her team, traveling and exploring the world are at the top of her list. She describes it as being able to see her hard work pay off.

“Just getting to explore different places around the world with such a close knit team opens your eyes to the world around you and it also shows the sense of community and how your hard work will pay off,” Kent said.