Tessa Long Honored as Athlete of the Month

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 Shatters 38-Year-Old School Record in 100 Hurdles

Apr 15, 2025

Tessa Long Shatters 38-Year-Old School Record in 100 Hurdles ‼️ School Record Alert ‼️ Tessa Long etched her name in school history by breaking a 38-year-old record in the 100-meter hurdles with an incredible time of 15.7 seconds. Her performance not only sets a new standard for future hurdlers but also highlights her dedication, speed, and technique. Representing the Dragons with pride, Tessa’s historic run is a moment to remember—one that cements her as one of the all-time greats in the program’s track legacy. 🐉🐉🐉

Tessa Long helps win program’s first-ever regular-season league title

Feb 05, 2025

In the days leading up to Thursday’s meet – with the program’s first-ever regular-season league title there for the taking – members of the girls indoor track team remained cautiously optimistic.The Dragons knew deep down that if they competed to their potential, as they have all season, they would put themselves in an ideal spot. At the same time, they didn’t want to jinx it or assume anything was a foregone conclusion.As the meet progressed, it became abundantly clear that the Dragons are, by a wide margin, the class of the Patriot-Keenan this year. In a battle of two teams that entered 4-0 in the league, Duxbury cruised to a 73-27 victory over Plymouth North.The Dragons leaned on their firepower, depth and chemistry, as they have all season, to make history at the Reggie Lewis Center.“It was a total team effort,” Duxbury coach Ron Glennon said. “It was depth. It was the thirds and the seconds, not just the firsts, that got us this championship. I’m kind of at a loss for words. I’m just so proud of this group.”When it was over, the Dragons celebrated by singing the fight song and hoisting their fists in the air. The smiles on their faces said it all. This was a triumph years in the making.“It’s just so awesome that we get our year on the banner in the gym,” senior captain Maggie Slimbaugh said. “This team is really, really special.”Perhaps the most wild part is that the Dragons only have four seniors on the roster. Slimbaugh, Kate Rhinesmith, Sarah Strauss and Lily Andersen have all had terrific careers, and will be missed, but this group should still be a powerhouse for years to come. Glennon has taken tremendous pride in building the program into what it is now. He always deflects credit, and highlights the effort of everyone around him, but the Dragons know they wouldn’t be where they are now without his passion, dedication and knowledge. “He’s a great coach,” said Rhinesmith, a captain. “He’s so invested in every single girl, shows up every day and he just loves the sport. There’s no doubt about it. To do it for him means a lot.”It was a total team effort from start to finish, and Duxbury’s relays continued to stand out from the pack to punctuate a stellar showing. Tessa Long, Gabby Fisher, Lili Fisher and Lauren Sutliffe placed first overall in the 4×200 with a time of 1:50.71. Riley Earle, Addie Slimbaugh, Maggie Slimbaugh and Liv Coperine earned first in the 4×400 (4:13.43), beating the field by nearly eight seconds.Coperine took first among all competitors in the 300 with a time of 42.33, Earle was right behind her in third (44.21) and Camden Nelson was seventh (46.22). The sophomore Long set a school record of 9.11 in the 55-meter hurdles, eclipsing Izzy Gooley’s mark of 9.13 and placing second among all competitors.Harper Weekly captured second in the 2-mile (13:05.96), and Strauss was third (3:18.94) and Nora Wien fourth (3:19.22) in the 1000. Sutliffe placed third in long jump (16-00.00) and fourth in the 55-meter dash (7.63), while Gabby Fisher was eighth in the 55 (7.73). Maggie Slimbaugh was fifth overall in both the 600 (1:46.12) and high jump (4-08.00).It’s just crazy,” Andersen said. “I’m so proud of everyone. We put in so much work at practices. Despite the weather, everyone worked so hard indoors, so hard at home. It really pays off.”The boys fell, 63-36, to Plymouth North, finishing the 2-3 in dual meets this season. Jack Rubin took fourth overall in the mile (4:44.83) and Jack Sousa was eighth (4:55.94). Griffin Ruttgers earned sixth among all competitors in the 2-mile (10:39.64) and James Dillon was 10th (10:52.45). Dillon, who also recently broke five minutes in the mile, has made steady strides. He praised the seniors for leading the way.“It’s been a good ride,” Dillon said. “I’ve had Jack and Griffin with me every year. I’m going to miss them a lot.”Ian McNeil placed eighth in the 55-meter dash (6.78), and the 4×200 of Gus Mazanec, Alex Smith, Jamo Meyer and McNeil captured third overall (1:38.20). Freshman Owen Kirsch is showing promise in high jump (seventh, 5-04.00). “The guys showed up,” coach Tony Fisher said. “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but it was a great race. I’m happy for the seniors. Jack Rubin, Griffin Ruttgers, those guys really put it all out there today.”Rubin praised his teammates for rising to the occasion and setting personal records all over. He said he’s proud to see everyone’s hard work pay off. As for the evening itself, Rubin said it was “quite a shock” competing in a dual meet at the Reggie for the final time.“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Rubin said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, whether it’s good or bad, cheering or crying, whatever it was. This place has seen me through it all. It’s sad to say goodbye.”You can find more photos in the sports section.

Tessa Long sets Duxbury School record

Jan 30, 2025

Tessa Long broke the school record in the 55 Meter Hurdles at the Patriot League Meet in January 2025 at the Athletic Center in Boston, MA. Her outstanding performance not only secured a second place spot in the race but also added a historic achievement to her track career. This milestone solidified her place as one of the top athletes in her school’s track and field history.