Ask a group of 21-year old college students where they see themselves in ten years and their answers will probably vary from living in their parents’ basement to maybe thinking about graduate school to being too hung over to provide an audible answer.
Ask Jenna Mann where she wants to be in ten years and her answer will most likely make her fellow 21-year olds feel slightly inadequate.
“Be a doctor,” Mann answered swiftly and definitively, “I would definitely like to be a practicing doctor by the time I am 30. I’m 21 now, so I think I could definitely do that.”
Oh, but before Mann dons a white coat and scrubs, she has a few items she would like to check off her to-do list.
“I would love to have ran on a national team, definitely,” said Mann, “That’s one huge goal in my life.”
For some, wanting to compete on a national track and field team, completing medical school and becoming a practicing doctor all by the age of 30 may seem a little outlandish, but for Mann, it is all a part of the plan.
Originally hailing from Saskatchewan, Mann knew she wanted to pursue a future in track at a relatively young age. Her resume from St. Joseph High School is full of accomplishments like ‘champion’ and ‘athlete of the year.’
During Mann’s pre-collegiate career she achieved numerous championships in sprints and hurdles and received the honor of being athlete of the year for both her sophomore and junior year. She also played soccer throughout her four years in high school, earning a city championship in her senior year.
“I was in grade eight and a friend of mine was doing track. I went out and practiced with a little one-day a week recreational group,” Mann said. “ Then, getting into high school I actually started getting serious. That’s when I began to train with the university there.”
It did not take long for the 5’7” Canadian to begin envisioning competing on the collegiate level. Even though Mann was successful with soccer, she felt her future achievements would come from track.
“I knew I wanted to keep competing no matter what. In grade 11 I started thinking , ‘Okay, track is where I’m going to fit better,’” Mann said. “Soccer was so political, with track, the time I ran was the time I ran. No one could dispute that or say that I wasn’t good enough to be on a team.”
No one is saying that Mann is not good enough to be on this team.
Four years ago Mann made the move from Canada to America and has not looked back. Mann began her career at Wyoming injured, only competing in the hurdles for her freshman and sophomore year. Beginning her junior year, Mann transitioned into being a multi-event athlete.
Looking at Mann’s stat sheet, calling this transition smooth would be an understatement. Her success in the multi-event arena came promptly and undeniably. In the 2012-2013 season Mann broke Wyoming’s record for the all-time best pentathlon performance with a total of 3,681 points, claimed Wyoming’s second best all-time heptathlon total with 5,200 points and was named Academic All-MW and a MW scholar athlete.
“The one thing I am really happy about is that I’ve medalled in conference every time I’ve done a multi-event,” Mann said, “Pentathlon and heptathlon, I’ve gotten a medal every time, I’m really proud of that.”
Mann has a lot to be proud of, including her achievements off of the track. Throughout her time at Wyoming, she has come to expect nothing but the best of herself, athletically and academically. With a strong interest in medicine and her sights set on medical school, Mann decided to major in physiology.
“Starting in high school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. It’s always what interested me most,” Mann explained.
Being fiercely competitive in all aspects of her life, Mann has perfected the art of balancing sports and school.
“Honestly, that’s just something that I expect from myself,” said Mann, “I knew coming in that to go to medical I would need at least a 3.8 (GPA), so I think I would be disappointed with myself if I wasn’t able to accomplish that.”
Mann and those around her expect big and bright things to come from this ambitious, young athlete. Throughout her career, she has achieved many major accomplishments, but she is nowhere near satisfied with herself.
Whether her future entails podiums and points or surgeries and stethoscopes, she is sure to find success in whatever she does.
Kendyll Ferrall
kferral1@uwyo.edu
Ask a group of 21-year old college students where they see themselves in ten years and their answers will probably vary from living in their parents’ basement to maybe thinking about graduate school to being too hung over to provide an audible answer.
Ask Jenna Mann where she wants to be in ten years and her answer will most likely make her fellow 21-year olds feel slightly inadequate.
“Be a doctor,” Mann answered swiftly and definitively, “I would definitely like to be a practicing doctor by the time I am 30. I’m 21 now, so I think I could definitely do that.”
Oh, but before Mann dons a white coat and scrubs, she has a few items she would like to check off her to-do list.
“I would love to have ran on a national team, definitely,” said Mann, “That’s one huge goal in my life.”
For some, wanting to compete on a national track and field team, completing medical school and becoming a practicing doctor all by the age of 30 may seem a little outlandish, but for Mann, it is all a part of the plan.
Originally hailing from Saskatchewan, Mann knew she wanted to pursue a future in track at a relatively young age. Her resume from St. Joseph High School is full of accomplishments like ‘champion’ and ‘athlete of the year.’
During Mann’s pre-collegiate career she achieved numerous championships in sprints and hurdles and received the honor of being athlete of the year for both her sophomore and junior year. She also played soccer throughout her four years in high school, earning a city championship in her senior year.
“I was in grade eight and a friend of mine was doing track. I went out and practiced with a little one-day a week recreational group,” Mann said. “ Then, getting into high school I actually started getting serious. That’s when I began to train with the university there.”
It did not take long for the 5’7” Canadian to begin envisioning competing on the collegiate level. Even though Mann was successful with soccer, she felt her future achievements would come from track.
“I knew I wanted to keep competing no matter what. In grade 11 I started thinking , ‘Okay, track is where I’m going to fit better,’” Mann said. “Soccer was so political, with track, the time I ran was the time I ran. No one could dispute that or say that I wasn’t good enough to be on a team.”
No one is saying that Mann is not good enough to be on this team.
Four years ago Mann made the move from Canada to America and has not looked back. Mann began her career at Wyoming injured, only competing in the hurdles for her freshman and sophomore year. Beginning her junior year, Mann transitioned into being a multi-event athlete.
Looking at Mann’s stat sheet, calling this transition smooth would be an understatement. Her success in the multi-event arena came promptly and undeniably. In the 2012-2013 season Mann broke Wyoming’s record for the all-time best pentathlon performance with a total of 3,681 points, claimed Wyoming’s second best all-time heptathlon total with 5,200 points and was named Academic All-MW and a MW scholar athlete.
“The one thing I am really happy about is that I’ve medalled in conference every time I’ve done a multi-event,” Mann said, “Pentathlon and heptathlon, I’ve gotten a medal every time, I’m really proud of that.”
Mann has a lot to be proud of, including her achievements off of the track. Throughout her time at Wyoming, she has come to expect nothing but the best of herself, athletically and academically. With a strong interest in medicine and her sights set on medical school, Mann decided to major in physiology.
“Starting in high school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. It’s always what interested me most,” Mann explained.
Being fiercely competitive in all aspects of her life, Mann has perfected the art of balancing sports and school.
“Honestly, that’s just something that I expect from myself,” said Mann, “I knew coming in that to go to medical I would need at least a 3.8 (GPA), so I think I would be disappointed with myself if I wasn’t able to accomplish that.”
Mann and those around her expect big and bright things to come from this ambitious, young athlete. Throughout her career, she has achieved many major accomplishments, but she is nowhere near satisfied with herself.
Whether her future entails podiums and points or surgeries and stethoscopes, she is sure to find success in whatever she does.
