URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Those traveling through Urbana this week may have seen a new sign. The city has honored a seventh grader who became the state champion in long jump.
Gemma Douglas won the seventh grade long jump state title in May with a leap of 16.3 feet.
But this season was different for her. Not only was her season tough physically, it also came with other challenges.
“It was a very risky season. It was kind of a hard season mentally,” Gemma said.
She missed three weeks of her season from a hip injury, and sitting out was anything but easy.
“At first, I couldn’t sleep,” Gemma admitted.
Her first meet back from her injury was the sectional championships, where she placed second and qualified for state.
However, Douglas isn’t new to the pressure.
Gemma’s dad, Paul Douglas, who is also her coach, said last season in state she competed against athletes a grade above her.
“Last year, Gemma took fourth as a sixth grader,” Paul said.
Gemma went into state this year ranked fourth — but she never let the numbers get to her.
“I just knew that anything could happen,” Gemma said.
Gemma took four jumps in a championship matchup that went down to the wire. She ended up winning the gold by three centimeters.
“It was a surreal moment, as a dad, a coach, just as a family… just watching like ‘Yeah, you’re one of one, you’re it,'” Paul said.
With or without a state title, one thing is always true for her dad.
“I’m always proud of her, not just as a coach, but as a parent,” Paul said.
As for next season, Gemma is hungry for more. She already has her goals set high. She wants to be a “two-time state champion in long jump.”
