This week's Friday Focus Q&A features LSU junior Jessica Savona. Savona is originally from Mississauga, Ontario where she competed international elite for Canada. She was a six time Canadian National Team Member and was selected as the alternate for the 2012 Olympics. At LSU, Savona has competed every event for the Tigers and is a consistent performer. She especially shines on floor and her career high is a 9.95. 


If you weren’t doing gymnastics, what would you be doing?
I think I would be running track because I absolutely love running, and if it weren’t for all of the damage already done to me over the years by gymnastics I may be able to run without pain.
 

Have you ever done anything embarrassing in practice? Competition?
OH absolutely, I have a video on YouTube of me competing a Ray/Hindorff and catching the bar with my chin. Luckily I continued and finished the routine, but that was definitely embarrassing for me.
 

Describe your pre-competition routine.
I always make sure I take a nice long and hot shower in the morning. I eat oatmeal and eggs for breakfast and a cup of hot tea. I whiten my teeth that morning, and then I go off doing whatever needs to be done such as classes and studying. I then eat a wonderful lunch with my team, then I start to do my makeup first, then hair. About 2 hours before warm up I make sure to have peanut butter on a rice cake with half of a banana. Then I walk in the arena, lie on the floor, close my eyes, picture my routines. After that I’m ready to compete.

What does gymnastics look like for you in the next year?
Gymnastics looks eventful, exciting, and successful.
 

What were you like in high school?
I was a very happy, energetic, crazier version of the Savona I am now. This also applied to my gymnastics in high school. I was always determined and willing and nothing else made me happier than being in the gym.


 

How would you describe your personality?
My personality would be unique, exemplifying a very fun, loud, bubbly, “happy-go-lucky”, high-off-life type of person. Although, as I get older I seem to become a lot more calm and focused and controlling of myself in different situations.
 

What is your worst habit in the gym?
I get into what my coach calls the “Savona Zone” which is when I block everything out. Sometimes this isn’t a bad thing, but when it comes to being corrected or when I’m having a hard time it doesn’t work so well. 
 

If you made a life bucket list, what would be your number one activity to accomplish?
My number one activity I would want to accomplish within my life would be to travel to every single continent and visit many of my international friends that I’ve met while traveling to meets.
 

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome in gymnastics?
Definitely would be my 2 ACL surgeries, first one at the age of 13, second at the age of 17.

Who inspires you to be a better person?
From a very young age and being the baby of the family I acquired the ability to learn from other people. There are many people out there who inspire me to be a better person and gymnast such as my teammates, coaches, my sister and my parents, my little gym fans who look up to me and everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Whether they were a good or bad influence, they all inspired me to become a better me.

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
That would have to be “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark because whatever mood I’m in, good or bad, I always get that good feeling when listening to that song.

What is your biggest fear?
Not being happy
 

What is your proudest accomplishment?
Competing all 4 events to my highest ability 9 months after knee surgery, competing on 2 broken toes and becoming the alternate for the 2012 Canadian Olympic Gymnastics Team.

What makes you laugh the most?
Most people know I am an easily entertained person so almost everything makes me laugh, but my number one thing would be hearing other people laugh or babies laugh.

Do you collect anything?
I used to collect the 25 cent bouncy balls.

Who knows you the best?
My dad. He knows me better than anyone I know, and because of that he always gives the best advice, and he’s always the one to know what to say.

Who do you spend the most time with?
My very good friend, Gym.

Are you a clean and organized, or messy person?
I am an extremely messy person. My mom calls me hurricane jess because I make messes everywhere I go. 

Do you have nicknames? 
Savona 

What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye, and the only person I would sing that with is my sister, Ashlee Savona.

Related:
Friday Focus: Rheagan Courville
Friday Focus: Ashleigh Gnat
Friday Focus: Erin Macadaeg