Tessa Long Honored as Athlete of the Month

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Tessa Long

Name: Tessa Long
Age: 11 years old
School: Alden Elementary School, fifth grade
Sport/Activity: Gymnastics
Position: All-Around

How long have you participated in this sport/activity?
Since I was 7. This is my fourth year competing.

What is your favorite teacher/mentor's name?
My favorite coach is Jenn "JC" Church, who is a coach at Olympic Gymnastics in Middleboro, MA. She has coached me since my days as a novice coach. JC also choreographs my floor routines.

Who do you idolize in this sport/activity?
Aly Raisman

Where do you normally practice?
Head Over Heels in Norwell; I train 16 hours per week year-round.

Are you on a team?
I am on the Level 7 Junior Olympic Team at Head Over Heels. The Junior Olympic program for USA Gymnastics is Levels 1–10, Elite athletes are the girls that are trying for the Olympics.

Have you met anyone famous in this sport/activity?
Katelyn Ohashi

Have you traveled anywhere related to this sport/activity?
I usually compete in large Invitationals that have teams from New England and other East Coast states such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. I recently competed in Nationals in Knoxville, TN, this year. I had teams from several different states, and I compete in Philadelphia this season against teams from all over the East Coast.

What events have you participated in?
I do all four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor.

What awards or honors have you won?
I have qualified twice to be at the all-around competition at nine Junior Olympic Invitationals so far in my career. I have finished second in the all-around competition at the Massachusetts State Championships the last two years. I am a State Champion on the uneven bars this year and have also placed on all other events at the State Championships. I have also been selected to the Massachusetts State Developmental Team for the past two years.

What have you learned from participating in this sport/activity?
Gymnastics is a really hard sport both mentally and physically. When you aren't going your job it is very hard work and can be frustrating and sad, but when you're hitting, it makes you feel a way you can't really explain. I love gymnastics because it teaches you about working hard, perseverance, and overcoming fear. It also makes you physically fit, mentally tough, and strong. It teaches time management, the value of goal setting, and balance effort and rest.

What do you like most about the sport/activity?
Gymnastics is a very challenging sport, but I love learning new skills and mastering them.

What is your favorite moment?
My favorite moment was my last flyaway with a finished second all-around at the Level 6 State Championships and became State Champion on uneven bars.

What do you plan on doing after graduating?
My goal is to become a Level 10 gymnast and compete in gymnastics in college.

One tip for someone looking to get into this sport/activity:
Whether you compete or not, everyone can learn so much from gymnastics. Gymnastics makes you strong and confident, and it's the best sport to try as your very first sport.

Also see her brother, Darren's interview on High School Sports Elite.

Source Link: https://www.instagram.com/peteldux/

Athlete's Latest Article

Tessa Long 5th at Massachusetts State Championship, Breaks School Record

Feb 12, 2026

Tessa Long delivered when it mattered most for Duxbury High School. At the Massachusetts Division 3 State Championship, Long placed fifth in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 8.85 seconds. The finish put her among the top hurdlers in the state and rewrote her own school record in the process.The race was tight from the gun. The winning time was 8.51. Second place finished in 8.52. Fourth place crossed in 8.82. Long’s 8.85 placed her less than three tenths of a second from the champion in one of the fastest finals of the day.Breaking your own Duxbury High School record at the state meet shows growth. Long did not wait for a low pressure race to make history. She raised her standard on the biggest stage of the season.Running 8.85 in the 55 hurdles puts an athlete in elite company. Sub 9.00 performances consistently score at championship meets. Long not only scored four team points with her fifth place finish, she proved she belongs in every high level final she enters.Her season reflects steady progression. Technical efficiency over each barrier, stronger starts, and improved sprint mechanics between hurdles translated into measurable gains. Championship racing rewards athletes who execute under pressure. Long did exactly that.A fifth place finish at the state championship. A new Duxbury High school record. A performance that sets the tone for what comes next.

Tessa Long Claims Patriot League 55m Hurdles Title

Jan 31, 2026

Tessa Long left no doubt in the Varsity Girls 55 Meter Hurdles final at the Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Championship meet. The Duxbury High School senior exploded out of the blocks and controlled the race from the first hurdle. She crossed the line in 8.87, the only athlete under nine seconds, and secured first place. The field chased, but Long created separation early. Sophia Edwards of North Quincy finished second in 9.13. Ashley Tripodi of Pembroke placed third in 9.19. The gap from first to second measured .26 seconds, a decisive margin in a sprint hurdles race.Long’s performance showed sharp technique and clean hurdle clearance. In a race where small errors cost tenths, she stayed efficient and aggressive through the line.An 8.87 in the 55m hurdles sets a strong benchmark heading into championship season and confirms her status as one of the top hurdlers in the field. Final Results Tessa Long, Duxbury High School, 8.87 Sophia Edwards, North Quincy High School, 9.13 Ashley Tripodi, Pembroke High School, 9.19 Nora Carpenter, Plymouth South High School, 9.67 Ava Hathaway, Quincy High School, 9.83 Kellie Reis, Plymouth North High School, 10.05 Aubrey Alves, Plymouth South High School, 10.15 Sofia Masterson, Plymouth South High School, 10.23

Tessa Long: SCHOOL RECORD ALERT

Jan 06, 2026

Tessa Long set a new Duxbury High School record in the girls 55 meter hurdles with a winning time of 8.97 seconds. Long took first place in her heat and separated herself early. She cleared each hurdle cleanly and closed strong through the finish. The time broke the previous school record and marked a major early season milestone. An 8.97 in the 55 hurdles places Long among the top performers at the high school level. Long showed speed between barriers, control at takeoff, and discipline through the line. The result reflects technical growth and competitive focus. This performance sets a new standard for Duxbury hurdles and signals more fast times ahead this season.