Xavier College Prep senior, Jessica Tonn only scheduled three college visits but three was all she needed. Her final visit was this last weekend at Stanford University in Palo Alto California and Tonn quickly realized it was were she belonged.
"I know it’s super corny and “cliché” to say this," said Tonn about her visit, "but do you know how everyone says you just know you belong somewhere when you get that certain feeling? I totally felt that way about Stanford. My mom even sad, “I knew you were having a blast when I didn’t even hear from you for two days!” The funny thing is the only time I called her was when I told her I had committed! (haha) But overall, the team dynamic was incredible, I immediately clicked with the coaches, and fell in love with the campus! The most important question I had to ask myself was, “If I get injured and was not able to run at Stanford could I be happy?” and the answer is yes. Overall Stanford is perfect for me; the weather is great year round, I have family that live in the Bay Area, and I can focus on excelling both academically and athletically at a great university!"(photo right: Jessica Tonn crossing the finish line at Foot Locker Nationals)
Tonn had very positive experiences at both her Duke and Oregon visits where she met up with friends she made at Foot Locker Nationals. An additional bonus was seeing her ex-Xavier teammate and best friend Sarah Penney, who is now a freshman at Oregon.
"I had such a great time on my visits to Oregon and Duke," said Tonn, "I had the chance to meet so many great people and coaches and I was lucky enough to see some of the Foot Locker qualifiers again from the past years! All of the campuses I experienced were each unique in their own ways; both providing (way) different weather conditions than Arizona, different team dynamics, and beautiful campuses."
And what's not to like about the Bay Area weather. Not too hot........and not too cold. The great weather could put an end to the 5 AM workouts! But the weather was just one aspect of the visit that really impressed Tonn. She attended a class and also got to hang with Alex Dunne, a Foot Locker Finalist she befriended in 2008. Rivals on the course, the two girls became instant friends at Foot Locker Nationals.
"The parts of the trip that I enjoyed the most were seeing Alex (Dunne) again, meeting the team, and coaches." continued Tonn regarding her Stanford visit, "I have to admit I was intimidated and somewhat nervous for my visit because of Stanford’s reputation as a University, but all of the people I met were so welcoming and bubbly! On Friday, I attended a class called Sleep and Dreams, it was actually super interesting; the professor is the guy who discovered “Rem Sleep,” and what he was teaching was really intriguing. I found it hilarious that he gives his students extra credit if they fall asleep in class and report the last thing they remember dreaming about (haha)!I’m thinkin’ I want to take that class next year!"
Along with Dunne, Tonn also spent time with Justine Fedronic and Ebony Smallman. "These three girls were so much fun and they immediately made me feel at home!"
Many athletes will tell you the most difficult part of being recruited is calling the coaches of the schools you did not pick. It was no different for Tonn.
"I would have to say that is the hardest part about choosing a college, because you build a relationship with the coaches and the girls on their teams as you progress through the recruiting process. The coaches I have talked with, Kevin Jermyn from Duke and Maurica Powell from Oregon have been so understanding and they were both so accommodating on the visits I took to their schools. It was difficult to call them after getting home from my Stanford visit, but I knew it wouldn’t be the right thing if I didn’t inform them of my decision as soon as possible, because I know that there are so many girls who are dying to go to their schools, and who would make great additions to their programs."
With the decision made Tonn can now focus on her final high school track and field season.
"It is such a relief! I am excited to go into my second semester of senior year and my last track season without that weight on my shoulders. I am also excited because I am representing Stanford from here on out, on and off the track! Overall, I just can’t wait to start the next chapter of my life ☺"
She is back in training and will be running in the P.F. Chang half marathon this Sunday. Her first one!
"I am looking forward to my final season as a Xavier Gator, the Arcadia Invitational (& reuniting with my Footlocker best buds!), and last but not least, the Arizona State Meet! I was feeling sad about heading into my last season, but after committing I am just going to have fun and enjoy the moments I have left with my friends, family, team mates, and coaches! I am ready to move on to the next level, I really want to see what I’m capable of athletically and academically in college!"
Some of Tonn's accomplishments include 10 individual State Titles, 8 in track and 2 in cross country. She won the 800 at State twice and the 1600 and 3200 three times each.
Last year she ran the anchor leg of the 4 x 800 helping her team to a State Championship and giving her 4 State Titles in one Meet.
She holds several course records including the Cross Country State Meet Record.
She holds the freshman and sophomore records in both the 1600 and the 3200.
She has won the Gatorade runner of the year for both track and cross country.
She is the 19th girl in the history of Foot Locker to win a spot on the National team 4 times; the last two years finishing with All American status.
She was a Wendy's High School Heisman Finalist; one of 6 in the country.
